January 1999 December 2000

California
Southern District
Drug Threat Assessment

National Drug Intelligence Center

U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice
National Drug Intelligence Center

Product No. 2001-S0387SCA-001

December 2000

California
Southern District
Drug Threat Assessment

National Drug Intelligence Center

319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901-1622
(814) 532-4601
 Preface
This report is a strategic assessment that addresses the status and outlook of the drug threat in the
Southern U.S. Attorney District of California. Analytical judgment determined the threat posed by each
drug type or category, taking into account the most current quantitative and qualitative information on
availability, demand, production or cultivation, transportation, and distribution, as well as the effects of a
particular drug on abusers and society as a whole. While NDIC sought to incorporate the latest available
information, a time lag often exists between collection and publication of data, particularly demand-
related data sets. NDIC anticipates that this drug threat assessment will be useful to policymakers, law
enforcement personnel, and treatment providers at the federal, state, and local levels because it draws
upon a broad range of information sources to describe and analyze the drug threat in the Southern U.S.
Attorney District of California.

Cover photo ©Stockbyte

 National Drug Intelligence Center

California
Southern District
Drug Threat Assessment

Executive Summary
The California–Mexico border continues to be one of the most active drug smug-
gling corridors in the Southwest. Although only 7 percent of the length of the Southwest
Border, the California portion accounted for about 18 percent of the drugs seized there in
1999. Increasing commerce between the United States and Mexico has had an impact at
the border as Mexican drug trafficking organizations continue to use the free flow of
trade to facilitate their drug smuggling operations.
Mexican drug trafficking organizations remain the major threat to the Southern
District, using it as both a destination and a transshipment point for drugs destined for
locations throughout the United States. These organizations, working through established
smuggling and distribution networks, dominate the trafficking of methamphetamine, her-
oin, cocaine, and marijuana. Mexican wholesalers usually work through middlemen who
move the drugs to street-level dealers.
Methamphetamine is considered the number one drug threat. After a period during
which methamphetamine abuse appeared to have stabilized, abuse of the drug appears to
be increasing once again. Prices are stable but purity levels tend to fluctuate, ranging any-
where from 12 to 93 percent. The volume of methamphetamine produced in Southern
California has declined but seizures of laboratories and precursor and essential chemicals
continue. Pressure from law enforcement has forced producers to move their operations
north into Central and Northern California, east into Arizona, and south into Mexico.
Most of the methamphetamine available in the region is produced in Mexico. Mexican
polydrug organizations, working through middlemen, are the primary sources of supply at
the wholesale level and continue to dominate the methamphetamine market. Independent
dealers, organized groups, and street gangs distribute methamphetamine at the retail level.
Heroin seizures increased in 1999 and continued to increase through the first six
months of 2000. Heroin use, particularly among younger users, is growing. The heroin of
choice in Southern California is Mexican black tar, but Mexican brown powder and South
American heroin are available in the region. Prices are relatively stable and purity levels
remain high. Mexican drug trafficking organizations continue to control the heroin market
in the region and are the primary sources of supply at the wholesale level. Independent
dealers, organized groups, and street gangs distribute heroin at the retail level.

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Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Cocaine is readily available, prices are relatively stable, and purity levels are high.
Cocaine use increased overall in 1999, but preliminary figures for 2000 indicate that use
may be stabilizing. Crack cocaine is more often encountered at the street level in San
Diego than powdered cocaine. Cocaine seizures increased in the final quarter of 1999 and
continued to increase through the first 6 months of 2000. Most of the cocaine smuggled
across the California–Mexico border is transshipped to other locations, usually Los
Angeles. Mexican drug trafficking organizations are the primary cocaine suppliers at the
wholesale level, and they use middlemen to move the drug to retail dealers.
More marijuana has been seized in Southern California than all other drugs com-
bined. Marijuana also has shown the biggest increase in the number of users, particularly
among those 18 and younger. Mexican marijuana predominates in the region but domes-
tically produced marijuana and marijuana from Canada (BC Bud) are also available.
Mexican drug trafficking organizations are the primary wholesalers, and they use
middlemen to move the marijuana to street-level dealers. Mexican drug trafficking
organizations continue to smuggle large amounts of marijuana into and through the
district, using it as both a destination and a transshipment point.
Law enforcement is increasingly concerned about the growing use of the club
drugs ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol, MDMA (ecstasy), LSD, and PCP, all of which are
available at the street level. Laboratory seizures indicate that GHB is being produced
in the region. For the most part PCP and LSD are supplied domestically. In some cases
Rohypnol, MDMA, and ketamine are being brought into the region from Mexico.
Another drug that is a growing concern is clonazepam. Clonazepam is a Rohypnol-
type drug that is being used in sexual assaults.
After a period of relative stability, overall drug seizures increased in the last quarter
of 1999 and continued to increase during the first quarter of 2000. The amount per
seizure has increased slightly even as drug traffickers attempt to minimize their risk by
shipping smaller amounts. In some cases, they appear to have applied this practice to the
movement of currency as well; however, bulk shipments of cash are still moved across
the border into Mexico.

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 National Drug Intelligence Center

Table of Contents
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Methamphetamine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Heroin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Cocaine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Marijuana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Other Dangerous Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Clonazepam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Ketamine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
GHB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
MDMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Rohypnol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
LSD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
PCP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Khat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Inhalants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Pharmaceuticals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

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Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Los Angeles
215
5
99 10
5 Fallbrook
128 101
86
15 111

128 505
5

80 Oceanside Vista
SAN DIEGO
Southern IMPERIAL
Escondido

99
Carlsbad
San Marcos
395
El Cajon
Alpine
District
El Centro Andrade
280
San Diego Ocotillo Calexico
8 Yuma
Chula Vista 94
Tierra Del Sol Mexicali
San Ysidro San Luis
2 Tecate
5 Tijuana
152 Otay Mesa 5

1
99 395

101

15
99 395

40
15

101

215
10
5
15
86
111

SAN DIEGO Southern

District
IMPERIAL

94 8

Southern District of California.

Note: This map displays features mentioned in the report.

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 National Drug Intelligence Center
December 2000

California
Southern District
Drug Threat Assessment

Overview
This report covers the Southern U.S. Attorney
District of California, which comprises San Diego Fast Facts
and Imperial Counties, both of which share a Facts
border with Mexico. Southern California
(Southern U.S. Attorney District)
The California–Mexico border accounts for (statewide data marked *)
approximately 7 percent or 145 miles of the
Southwest Border and about 18 percent of the drugs
seized there. Southern California has six ports of Population (1999) 2.9 million
entry (POEs)—Andrade, two at Calexico, Otay Median income San Diego County–$41,443
Mesa, San Ysidro, and Tecate—which continue (2000) Imperial County–$22,201
to be among the busiest on the Southwest Border.
*Unemployment 5.0%
(See Map on page 3.) Since the North American rate (2000)
Free Trade Agreement was implemented in 1994,
commercial trade with Mexico has increased 115 Land area 8,379 sq mi
percent, significantly affecting the number of bor- Shoreline 76 miles
der crossings between the United States and Mex-
ico. Table 1 indicates that over 31 million *Capital Sacramento
conveyances (trucks, buses, vehicles, trains, air- Principal cities San Diego, Chula Vista, Escondido,
craft) and more than 18 million pedestrians tran- El Centro
sited the California–Mexico border in 1999, an Number of counties 2
increase of about 13 percent since 1995. Truck
traffic increased 36 percent, the number of rail- Principal San Diego County–Biotechnology,
cars increased 35 percent, estimated bus crossings industries financial services, seafood,
manufacturing, ship building, and
increased 66 percent, and foot traffic rose 15 telecommunications.
percent. U.S. Customs (USCS) further reports Imperial County–Agriculture,
that the total number of individuals—pedestrians, manufacturing, telecommunications,
drivers, and passengers—crossing the California– trucking, and warehousing.
Mexico border in 1999 exceeded 95 million.

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Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Table 1. Border Crossings*

Amount of % of
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Change Change
Trucks 698,692 694,697 815,568 881,157 949,651 250,959 36

Buses 91,816 110,297 128,677 138,702 152,722 60,906 66

Passenger 27,323,722 25,193,443 27,606,400 29,628,019 30,330,013 3,006,291 11

Vehicles

Railcars 7,484 9,810 8,104 7,798 10,135 2,651 35

Aircraft 0 6,986 8,831 8,509 8,567 1,581 23

Pedestrians 15,969,973 19,177,856 18,942,208 18,096,532 18,427,324 2,457,351 15

TOTAL 44,091,687 45,193,089 47,509,788 48,755,941 49,812,443 5,779,739 13

*Totals do not include vessels cleared by airport-seaport inspectors.

Source: United States Customs Service, unofficial statistics.

In addition to the land POEs, two large Los Angeles, Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle.
bays—San Diego Bay and Mission Bay—provide Highway 15 extends from San Diego to Alberta
maritime access to the region. Figures from Cus- Province at the U.S.–Canada border. This route
toms for 1998 and 1999 show a 6 percent increase passes through sparsely populated as well as met-
in the number of commercial vessels and passen- ropolitan areas such as Las Vegas, Nevada; Salt
gers cleared and a 41 percent increase in the num- Lake City, Utah; and Great Falls, Montana.
ber of private aircraft and passengers cleared at In Imperial County, Highways 111 and 86 also
the port of San Diego. (See Table 2.) The San run north and south originating in the border area
Diego Port is also used by an increasing number at Calexico, California, across the border from
of private watercraft. San Diego County has Mexicali, Mexico. The four highways intersect
about 76 miles of coastline and the area between with I–8, an east–west route which parallels the
Tijuana and San Diego is mostly beachfront, open
to maritime drug smuggling.
Table 2. Conveyances and Individuals Cleared
Air transport services— passenger and cargo— Port of San Diego
are supplied by a number of airports in the area. San
Diego, Tijuana, and Mexicali each have an interna- Type 1998 1999
tional airport and smaller commercial and private
airfields are located on both sides of the California– Commercial Aircraft 1,793 1,621
Mexico border. Commercial Air 144,126 119,145
San Diego County has two main interstate Passengers/Crew
highways running north and south, I–5 and I–15. Private Aircraft 86 121
(See Map on page 3.) Interstate 5 extends south
Private Air Passengers 32 552
from San Diego to the San Ysidro POE on the Cal-
ifornia–Mexico border. It also extends north from Vessels 2,274 2,160
San Diego to the U.S.–Canada border at Blaine,
Vessels 158,609 149,060
Washington, the busiest land POE in the Pacific Passengers/Crew
Northwest. It passes through six major metropoli-
tan areas between San Diego and Blaine including Source: United States Customs Service.

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 National Drug Intelligence Center

Rail Transport
Agreements among U.S., Canadian,
and Mexican rail companies have created
an intermodal transportation system that
stretches from Canada to Panama. This
rail system has the capacity to move 4
million freight cars a year, about 364,000
of those across the Southwest Border.
Railroads have a larger cargo capacity
than any other form of transportation. One
boxcar has more than 5,000 cubic feet of
cargo space and can accommodate over
200,000 pounds of cargo. In other words,
a train containing 50 boxcars can carry
5,000 tons or 10 million pounds of cargo.
Rail transport also has intermodal
capabilities. An intermodal transportation
system uses more than one mode of
transport to move cargo: ship-to-rail, rail-
to-truck, rail-to-barge, and ferry-to-rail or
truck. Containers are most often used for
intermodal transportation, enabling cargo
to be moved from one type of carrier to
another without being repackaged.
Intermodal transportation is seen by
many as an ideal solution to congestion at
the border. As trade within the Western
Hemisphere continues to increase, ship-
pers likely will rely more and more on
intermodal services.
Mexican drug traffickers have used the
railroads to smuggle drugs to and through
the Southwest Border since the 1980s. A
system that links no fewer than eight
countries and has intermodal capability
and a larger cargo capacity than any other
form of transportation will continue to
attract smugglers of illicit goods.

Southwest Border connecting San Diego, from Tijuana south to La Paz, Baja California
El Centro, Yuma, Arizona, and points east. Inter- Sur, almost the entire length of the Baja Penin-
state 8 eventually intersects with I–10 in Arizona. sula. Highway 15 runs from Nogales, Mexico,
Interstate 2 is an east–west route in northern across the border from Nogales, Arizona, south
Mexico that parallels the border connecting Cal- into Sinaloa, Mexico.
exico, Tecate, and Tijuana, where it intersects Railways also provide access to the region.
with Mexican Highway 1D/1 west and Mexican A freight railway connects San Diego to
Highway 15 in Sonora. Highway 1/D1 extends Tijuana and a Mexican railroad extends north

3
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

from Mexico City along the western gulf to the Zambada drug trafficking group out of Sinaloa,
Southwest Border. This railroad interconnects which allegedly has ties to the Juarez Cartel, is
with U.S. railroads at several interchanges challenging the AFO’s control of the border nar-
including Calexico, California. USCS estimates cotics market and creating havoc in Baja Cali-
that 10,135 railcars crossed the border between fornia Norte. The Zambada group is allegedly
Mexico and California in 1999, an increase of responsible for a series of high-profile killings
26 percent since 1995. there, including the murder of Tijuana Police Chief
Both the United States and Mexico continue Alfredo de la Torre.
to improve their highway and rail systems, ports, Mexican DTOs are the primary suppliers and
and airports to facilitate increasing commerce distributors of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine,
among countries in the Western Hemisphere. and marijuana in San Diego and Imperial Coun-
Unfortunately, the air–land–sea infrastructure that ties. Local law enforcement describes a layered
supports legitimate commerce between the distribution system. The DTOs work through mid-
United States and Mexico also facilitates the dlemen to supply local street gangs or independent
movement of illicit substances to, through, and dealers, mostly Hispanic. This marketing system
beyond the Southwest Border. has the advantage of insulating the major drug
In San Diego and Imperial Counties, all drugs traffickers from the criminal activity associated
of abuse are readily available. Methamphetamine, with street-level distribution and law enforcement
black tar heroin, and marijuana supplied by reaction to that activity. In December 1999 fed-
Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) eral, state, and local law enforcement agencies
are the drugs of choice. Although methamphet- identified 139 drug groups operating within
amine use indicators have stabilized, the amount Southern California and the Tijuana and Mexicali
of the drug seized increased 36 percent between areas of Mexico.
1996 and 1999, and law enforcement continues to At the street level, polydrug distribution
classify it as a serious threat. Marijuana trafficking appears to be the norm, except for crack cocaine.
continues at high levels, and cocaine seizures and Crack is almost exclusively distributed by
abuse are increasing after a period of relative African-American street gangs, which are not
stability. Heroin is a growing threat while other normally described as polydrug groups. Hispanic
dangerous drugs, including ketamine, GHB gangs, for the most part, distribute more than one
(gamma-hydroxybutyrate), Rohypnol, and drug, usually heroin, methamphetamine, and
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), marijuana. Law enforcement estimates that street
commonly known as ecstasy, are of increasing gangs account for 20 to 50 percent of all drug dis-
concern to law enforcement, as is the diversion of tribution at the street level. No fixed drug markets,
prescription drugs such as hydrocodones, Valium, crack houses, or shooting galleries were identi-
and clonazepam (Rivotril, Klonopin). fied. Drug dealers are fluid in their methods,
Virtually all of the drugs smuggled into changing where and how they operate in response
Southern California are the responsibility of to law enforcement pressure. Once law enforce-
Mexican DTOs: the Arellano-Felix Organization ment identifies buildings, houses, or specific
(Tijuana Cartel), the Miguel Angel Caro-Quintero locations as drug areas, dealers simply move their
Organization (Juarez Cartel), and the Amezcua- operations elsewhere.
Contreras Organization (Colima Cartel). The The Mexican Mafia (La Eme), a violent
Arellano-Felix Organization (AFO), which claims prison-based gang with 200–400 estimated mem-
Baja California Norte as its area of control, is often bers, controls a large portion of the retail drug
cited as having the most significant impact on trade in Southern California through violence,
the San Diego–Imperial County area. Current intimidation, and control of Hispanic street gangs
reporting suggests that the Ismael “El Mayo” that do its bidding. During a recent trial, one

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 National Drug Intelligence Center

member of La Eme claimed to have authorized Zapopan, and in a shootout in Culiacan between
the execution of as many as 40 individuals. He Mexican officials and drug traffickers were traced
also testified that the gang controlled drug to the same dealer. The dealer and several associ-
trafficking within California’s prisons and taxed ates were arrested in April 2000. In August 2000,
street gangs for the right to sell drugs. Intelli- federal agents seized a cache of 800 automatic and
gence reporting suggests that La Eme also acts as semiautomatic weapons in El Cajon, California,
an intermediary between street gangs and orga- some of which were traced to the same Escondido
nized criminal groups operating from Mexico. gun shop. Three individuals, identified as firearms
The Arellano-Felix Organization is known to traffickers, were arrested. One of those arrested
recruit members of street gangs as enforcers and told agents that he converted weapons for mem-
contract hit men. In a notorious example, the bers of the Arellano-Felix Organization. In addi-
Arellano-Felix Organization employed members tion to selling weapons, one of the individuals
of the San Diego Logan Heights street gang, also sold a pound of methamphetamine to an
known to be affiliated with La Eme, to murder a undercover agent.
rival at the Guadalajara airport; Mexican Cardinal
Posadas-Ocampo was mistakenly killed instead. According to a November 2000 article from
the Cambio, a Mexican web site, the
Violence related to drug trafficking continues Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
on both sides of the border. In April 2000, three (FARC) tried to make a cocaine-for-weapons
Mexican law enforcement officers working with deal with the Arellano-Felix Organization.
U.S. authorities were brutally murdered in Tijuana. Mexican authorities intervened and the deal
Mexican law enforcement has attributed the mur- never took place.
ders to the Arellano-Felix Organization. Another
crime that appears to have spanned the border is Drug-related crime is increasing in the region.
the assassination of Tijuana Police Chief Alfredo The San Diego Police Department reports that
de la Torre. Investigating authorities have linked a from 1998 to 1999, felony drug arrests increased
vehicle reported stolen in Chula Vista, California, 5 percent and misdemeanor drug arrests increased
to the murder. The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) 4 percent (from 5,212 to 5,448 and 7,371 to 7,662
reported several violent incidents in March 2000. respectively). Countywide drug-related arrests
In one incident two USBP agents on the California increased 9 percent from 1997 to 1999 (23,658 to
side of the border were fired upon from a building 25,674). In each of the last 3 years—1997 to
in Mexico. In another, the driver of a vehicle that 1999—10 percent of the homicides in San Diego
had crossed the border at Grays Wells in the El County were drug-related.
Centro area of Imperial County attempted to run an According to the National Institute of Justice
agent down. On August 16, 2000, a Border Patrol 1999 Annual Report on Drug Use Among Adult
agent was shot in the back as he checked power and Juvenile Arrestees (ADAM), almost 64 per-
generators along the border near the New River in cent of adult males and over 66 percent of adult
Imperial County. Luckily, he was wearing a bullet- females arrested in the San Diego area tested posi-
proof vest and was not hurt. tive for drugs. This is down from 1997 when 73.4
Another facet of drug-related violence percent of males and 73.2 percent of females tested
involves the sale of weapons to drug traffickers. positive for drugs. In 1999, male and female per-
Two recent incidents highlight the challenge centages were highest for marijuana at 36 percent
posed by the weapons trade. Authorities traced and 29 percent respectively. Methamphetamine
weapons used to murder 18 men, women, and was also high at 36 percent for females and 26 per-
children in the Mexican town of El Sauzal, to a cent for males. The converse of 1997 when the
gun dealer in Escondido, California. Weapons percentage of arrestees testing positive for drugs
used in the 1996 slayings of Mexican soldiers in was highest for methamphetamine–42 percent of

5
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

females and 39 percent of males tested positive for 60.3 percent of violent offenders tested positive.
the drug. Marijuana was second with 38 percent of As in 1998, marijuana (52.6 percent) and meth-
male arrestees and 24 percent of females testing amphetamine (17.2 percent) were the most
positive for the drug. The high percentage of abused drugs, but in 1997, multiple drug use
arrestees testing positive for marijuana in 1998 (20.7 percent) exceeded methamphetamine use.
and 1999 may be a reflection of the high activity According to the 1999 ADAM report, 56.8 per-
in marijuana trafficking in the San Diego area. On cent of male juvenile arrestees and 47.7 percent
the other hand, ADAM statistics reflect a stabiliz- of females tested positive for drugs.
ing or downward trend in methamphetamine In Imperial County, 6 of 24 homicides during
abuse. Multiple drug use declined over the 1997– the period 1997–1999 were drug-related. The
1999 period: rates dropped from 46 to 22 percent Imperial County Narcotic Task Force reported
for males and 53 to 29 percent for females. Dur- 85 percent of 422 arrests in 1999 as drug-related.
ing this same time period, the highest rate of pos- Felony drug arrests increased 25 percent from
itives for multiple drug use were recorded for the 1998 to 1999 (192 to 247) but misdemeanor drug
26- to 36-year-old age groups. arrests dropped 20 percent (138 to 111). The U.S.
Among juveniles aged 9 to 18 arrested in the Sentencing Guidelines Report for Southern Cali-
San Diego area, 56.1 tested positive for drugs fornia reflects a 67.8 percent increase in drug
according to ADAM statistics for 1998. Similar offenses over the 4-year period 1995 to 1998.
to adult arrestees, more juvenile arrestees tested (See Table 3 on page 6.) Although drug traffick-
positive for marijuana (48.1 percent) than any ing continues to be of primary concern, other
other drug. This may simply be a reflection of crime statistics, as reported by various sources,
higher levels of marijuana-related activity. Meth- are mixed. The San Diego Association of Gov-
amphetamine was second with 12.2 percent. The ernments (SANDAG) reports that overall crime
percentage of multiple drug use was 10.8 percent. in the San Diego region has declined every year
In comparison, 1997 ADAM statistics show that since 1991: violent crime decreased 41 percent
62.6 percent of all juvenile arrestees in the and property crime declined 54 percent. For the
San Diego area tested positive for drugs and 1-year period 1998 to 1999, the FBI Index rate
Table 3: Drug Offenses, Southern California

Offense 1995 1996 1997 1998 Amount of Change* % of Change*

Cocaine 126 108 93 87 -39 -31.0
Crack 9 5 20 8 -1 -11.1

Heroin 57 56 41 29 -28 -49.1

Marijuana 513 541 785 1,210 697 135.9

Methamphetamine 140 98 95 79 -61 -43.6

Other Drugs 4 15 24 12 8 200.0

Total Drug 849 823 1,058 1,425 576 67.8

Total Non-Drug 1,090 1,328 2,065 2,026 936 85.9

Drug - % of Total 43.8 38.3 33.9 41.3

*Represents comparison between 1995 and 1998.

Source: U.S. Sentencing Guidelines 1998.

6
 National Drug Intelligence Center

declined 12 percent. In contrast, the San Diego arrests and offenses rose. The reduction in overall
Police Department reports that, from 1998 to crime has been attributed to a combination of pre-
1999, felony drug arrests increased 5 percent, vention and crime reduction strategies such as
from 5,212 to 5,448, and misdemeanor drug community-oriented policing and educational and
arrests increased 4 percent, from 7,371 to 7,662. peer court programs. Positive economic factors
Countywide, drug-related arrests totaled 25,674 were also identified as a contributing factor. The
in 1999 compared to 23,658 in 1997, an increase increase in drug arrests and offenses could be
of 9 percent over the 2-year period. In each of attributed to a number of factors: an increase in
the last 3 years, 1997 to 1999, drug-related law enforcement efforts to combat drug-related
homicides accounted for 10 percent of the total activity, tougher sentencing guidelines, or, most
in San Diego County. likely, a combination of those factors.
The dichotomy in the reported crime rates is
that, although the overall crime rate declined, drug

7
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Methamphetamine
San Diego is no longer considered “the meth were methamphetamine-related, the highest of eight
capital of the United States” but it continues to be a arrest categories that also include cocaine-, crack
center for methamphetamine activity. According to cocaine-, heroin-, marijuana-, polydrug-, other dan-
a 1999 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) gerous drug-, and money laundering-related actions.
report, Mexican DTOs are responsible for approxi- The San Diego County Integrated Narcotic Task
mately 80 percent of methamphetamine distribution Force reports that 40 percent of drug arrests made
nationwide. Although Mexican DTOs continue to during the first 8 months of fiscal year (FY) 2000
operate methamphetamine superlabs in the United were methamphetamine-related (114 of 285).
States, the bulk of the methamphetamine consumed Although most of the methamphetamine avail-
in the United States is produced in Mexico. San able in the district is smuggled across the border
Diego remains one of the first destinations for the from Mexico, some is produced in the two-county
large quantities smuggled across the Southwest Bor- area. In addition to the crime and violence associ-
der. From 1998 to 1999, seizures increased 85 per- ated with methamphetamine trafficking and abuse,
cent in San Diego and Imperial Counties—from 312 there is a societal impact associated with the abuse
to 577 kilograms. This represents 54 percent of the and production of the drug. As a result of the prolif-
methamphetamine seized on the Southwest Border. eration of clandestine methamphetamine laborato-
The DEA San Diego Field Division and local ries, particularly “home labs,” children, law
law enforcement report that methamphetamine enforcement personnel, and civilians are increas-
production, trafficking, and abuse constitute the ingly exposed to the dangers of explosions, toxic
most serious drug threat in Southern California. chemicals, and lethal by-products of the manufac-
The DEA San Diego Field Division reports that turing process. In addition to the human risk factor,
methamphetamine is the drug of choice and is toxic by-products of the methamphetamine manu-
available in all quantities. Imperial County is expe- facturing process can contaminate groundwater,
riencing an increase in methamphetamine activity. soil, and the buildings housing the laboratories.
DEA reports that bulk seizures of the drug are Children are also at risk for abuse and neglect by
becoming more commonplace and that some dis- parents or caregivers addicted to the drug. San
tributors prefer to sell this drug in lieu of cocaine. Diego is one of seven counties in California with a
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department identifies Drug Endangered Children (DEC) program. DEC
methamphetamine as a stable but major threat, and coordinates efforts of law enforcement, the District
the Chula Vista Police Department classifies meth- Attorney’s Office, and social services to respond to
amphetamine as a major and increasing threat. the plight of children exposed to toxic chemicals at
Drug use information indicates that methamphet- clandestine laboratory sites. The Imperial County
amine use declined in the San Diego area in 1999. Narcotics Task Force reported that in 1999, they had
However, current anecdotal information and several cases where children as young as 4 months
FY2000 data from the California Department of had to be removed from homes where methamphet-
Drug and Alcohol Programs suggests that metham- amine was being sold. In one case, three children
phetamine use may be increasing once again. were removed from a home described as a “pigsty”
Information from law enforcement sources at because “rotting food and trash were stacked 3 feet
the federal, state, and local levels in San Diego and high” throughout. The children were in the care of
Imperial Counties indicates that a large percentage their grandmother who was arrested for selling
of their resources are focused on the methamphet- methamphetamine. The San Diego Union-Tribune
amine problem. In 1999, these agencies conducted reported that since 1998 the San Diego District
7,307 narcotic enforcement actions in San Diego Attorney’s DEC program has rescued more than
and Imperial Counties, 3,024 or 42 percent of which 200 children from homes where methamphetamine
laboratories operated.

8
 National Drug Intelligence Center

Abuse

Although methamphetamine continues to be Imperial Counties more females than males

classified as the number one threat in the region, sought treatment for methamphetamine abuse in
methamphetamine use appears to have declined FY1998 and FY1999. The age of those seeking
from previous high levels. Various drug use treatment ranged from under 18 to over 55 but
reports indicate that methamphetamine use is was most heavily concentrated in the 21- to
down in West Coast cities and areas of the South- 40-year bracket.
west. According to ADAM statistics, the percent-
age of adult arrestees in the San Diego area testing The latest figures from the California Depart-
positive for methamphetamine dropped from 40 ment of Alcohol and Drug Programs indicate
percent in 1997 to about 33 percent in 1998. Juve- that methamphetamine use may be increas-
nile arrestees testing positive for methamphet- ing again. The number of those seeking
amine similarly declined, from 17 to 12.2 percent. treatment for methamphetamine use in San
Diego and Imperial counties rose from 4,226
In San Diego, the U.S. Department of Health in FY1999 to 4,438 in FY2000, a 5 percent
and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Men- increase.
tal Health Services Administration, Drug Abuse
Warning Network (DAWN) estimated rate of
emergency department methamphetamine/speed According to DAWN, total drug deaths in the
mentions decreased from 30 per 100,000 in 1995 San Diego area increased yearly between 1995 and
to 24 per 100,000 in 1999. Methamphetamine 1997 when the number of deaths peaked at 419. In
overdose deaths were at the lowest level since at 1998 that number declined to 338. (See Chart 1.)
least 1992. According to the California Depart- During that same period, the number of deaths in
ment of Drug and Alcohol Programs, treatment which methamphetamine was mentioned
admissions for “amphetamines” declined slightly decreased from 99 deaths in 1995 to 84 in 1998.
from 1995 to 1997 in both San Diego and Impe- The 1998 figure is the lowest since 1993 when
rial Counties. Admissions in San Diego fell from only 77 deaths were reported.
3,933 in 1995 to 3,783 in 1997. Imperial County
amphetamine admissions decreased from 257 in
1995 to 192 in 1997.
Between FY1998 and FY1999, methamphet-
amine admissions in San Diego County fell 2.6
percent. During the same period, Imperial County
admissions declined 34 percent, from 186 to 122.
Overall, the number of individuals seeking treat-
ment for methamphetamine abuse declined in
both counties between FY1998 and FY1999.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Sub-
More Caucasians than Hispanics sought treat- stance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Drug
Abuse Warning Network, Annual Medical Examiner Data 1998.
ment for methamphetamine abuse in San Diego in
both fiscal years. Imperial County reports that
more Caucasians than Hispanics sought treatment
in FY1998 but in the following year Hispanics
outnumbered Caucasians. In San Diego and

9
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Availability

The availability of methamphetamine in San Seizures of methamphetamine at California

Diego and Imperial Counties is constant, and there POEs increased from 312 pounds in 1998 to 577
has been no significant change in either price or pounds in 1999. The California Border Alliance
purity. In their responses to the National Drug Group (CBAG) reports that 1999 seizures in San
Intelligence Center’s (NDIC) Drug Threat Survey, Diego and Imperial Counties accounted for 54
the San Diego Police Department, the San Diego percent (577 of 1,060 kg) of the methamphetamine
Sheriff’s Department, and the Chula Vista Police seized at the Southwest Border, the highest since
Department rated availability of methamphetamine 1996. The California Bureau of Narcotics
as high. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department and Enforcement (BNE) and the California Highway
the San Diego Police Department rated the meth- Patrol Border Division seized an additional 73
amphetamine threat as major but unchanging; the pounds of methamphetamine and 9,938 pounds of
Chula Vista Police Department identified the threat pseudoephedrine in 1999. CBAG also reports
as major and increasing. The San Diego Police seizures of the precursors ephedrine and
Department reports that it encounters methamphet- pseudoephedrine and of the essential chemicals
amine in both rock and powder form in areas for- hydriodic acid and iodine at POEs.
merly dominated by crack. Currently,
methamphetamine accounts for 50 percent of A recent report from CBAG indicates that
North San Diego Integrated Drug Task Force sei- the number and amount of methamphet-
zures; amounts seized range from 1 to 50 pounds. amine seizures in the California-Mexico
The Task Force reports the methamphetamine mar- border area decreased during the first six
ket is stable, prices are steady, and purity is months of 2000. They further report that
between 20 and 94 percent. more of the drug is being crossed at other
points along the SWB.
The most recent methamphetamine price and
purity figures available from the Narcotic Informa-
tion Network (NIN) for San Diego and Imperial In 1998, 221 kilograms of amphetamine were
Counties indicate slight increases in price and seized at the Southwest Border, almost three times
purity. (See Table 4.)
Table 4. Methamphetamine Price and Purity, March 2000

County Amount Price (dollars) Purity Range (percent)

San Diego Gram 80 25 to 53
1/8 Ounce 160

1/4 Ounce 150 to 220

Ounce 500 to 800

1/2 Pound 4,100 to 5,200

Pound 5,500 12 to 93

Imperial Ounce 450

Pound 6,500 to 8,000

Source: Narcotic Information Network, San Diego/Imperial County, March 2000.

10
 National Drug Intelligence Center

the amount seized in 1997. The Mexican DTOs are obtain the precursors ephedrine and pseudoephe-
marketing amphetamine as methamphetamine. drine or because of economics: PPA may be
This may be an indication that Mexican DTOs are cheaper than either ephedrine or pseudoephedrine,
substituting phenylpropanolamine (PPA), either thereby increasing the profit margin.
because federal controls are making it difficult to

Violence

Methamphetamine addicts suffering the In response to the NDIC’s Gang Survey 2000,
effects of prolonged or chronic abuse often dis- local law enforcement indicated that street gangs
play psychotic behavior such as paranoia, audi- in their districts are involved in the distribution of
tory and visual hallucinations, or mood methamphetamine and other drugs. In addition to
disturbances and exhibit a tendency toward vio- the violent activity related to drug trafficking, these
lence. In March 2000, the San Diego Sheriff’s gangs also commit criminal acts such as assaults,
Department stated that “methamphetamine is a drive-by shootings, homicides, auto thefts and car-
very dangerous drug that has been traced to vio- jackings. La Eme, which controls a portion of the
lent criminal activity.” It further reports that 70 drug trade in Southern California through street
percent of adult male and about 60 percent of gangs, uses violence to maintain that control and
juvenile arrestees test positive for methamphet- expand its power base. The almost complete
amine, and comments, “Although those figures wholesale control of drug distribution in both San
are down from previous years, they are still the Diego and Imperial Counties by Mexican DTOs
highest in the nation.” precludes some of the violence usually associated
with the struggle for control of drug markets.

Production

Mexican criminals continue to be the primary

methamphetamine producers in San Diego and The Mexican Attorney General’s Office
Imperial Counties. Most use the ephedrine/ reported that 17 clandestine laboratories for
making synthetic drugs have been dismantled
pseudoephedrine reduction method, which pro-
in Michoacan. Eleven laboratories were dis-
duces greater amounts (10 lb or more) per cook.
mantled in 1999 and six in the first 4 months
In addition to ephedrine/pseudoephedrine, this of 2000. The report did not identify the types
method uses red phosphorus and hydriodic acid. of drugs manufactured in the laboratories,
One source of pseudoephedrine used in the manu- however, Michoacan is known to be a center
facture of methamphetamine is over-the-counter for methamphetamine production.
cold tablets. It appears that, in some cases, meth- A report from the Mexican newspapers dated
amphetamine manufacturers use the entire tablet, October 17, 2000, stated that authorities in
including binders, which produces a poorer qual- that country discovered an underground crys-
ity product because it lowers the purity and adds tal [methamphetamine] laboratory on the
weight. Production of poor quality methamphet- highway between Mexicali, Mexico, and the
amine could be an attempt to cut costs, the result Mexicali Airport.
of difficulty in obtaining precursors, or both.
Because of the high levels of production, However, pressure from law enforcement in
Southern California was once known as the meth- Southern California is causing operators of the
amphetamine capital of the United States. larger laboratories to move further north to

11
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Orange and San Bernardino Counties, east to directly on the ground, causing serious environ-
Arizona, and south to Baja California Norte. mental damage. At the very least, the resulting
There is a continuing trend in Southern cleanup is costly; in the worst case scenario the
California toward small “tweaker labs” that pro- damage to the environment is irreparable. The
duce ounce to pound quantities for personal use USFS also reports cases of traffickers who enter
and sale. Most small laboratories are seized abandoned laboratory sites and set up “dirt labs”
from residences, but laboratories also have been where they scrub the contaminated soil to recover
found in sheds in remote locations and in the methamphetamine and precursor residue.
trunks of cars. While operators of most small lab-
oratories use the ephedrine/pseudoephedrine The California Bureau of Narcotics Enforce-
method used by Mexican DTOs, there have been ment reports that a very enterprising metham-
reports of a few using the “Nazi” method, which phetamine cooker cut up the sheets used to
requires a shorter cook time and uses anhydrous strain the product and then sold the pieces to
ammonia in place of red phosphorus. The DEA methamphetamine users. The users soak the
San Diego Field Division seized 41 methamphet- pieces of cloth in drinkable liquids to ingest the
methamphetamine.
amine laboratories and three pseudoephedrine
extraction laboratories in 1998. DEA reported 43 Precursor and essential chemical trafficking is
laboratory seizures in 1999. NIN reported that 62 another methamphetamine-related problem fac-
laboratories were seized in San Diego County and ing law enforcement in San Diego and Imperial
5 in Imperial County. NIN figures include addi- Counties. Because large quantities of ephedrine
tional laboratory seizures not reported to DEA. and pseudoephedrine are not readily available in
Methamphetamine laboratories are generally the district, methamphetamine manufacturers and
found in sparsely populated areas. In San Diego precursor “brokers” are forced to purchase prod-
County, most of the laboratories seized were east ucts containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine
and northeast of San Diego; in Imperial County, over the counter, smuggle the chemicals into the
the laboratories were located west and northwest area from Mexico, or obtain them from unscrupu-
of El Centro. lous chemical companies. In addition, these
San Diego County authorities responding to criminal broker organizations may also set up
the National Drug Threat Survey estimate the laboratories to extract the ephedrine or
cost of cleaning up a laboratory at $3,000. In pseudoephedrine from combination products
1999, DEA spent over $83,000 on 46 laboratory such as cold medicines.
cleanups. This figure does not include the remedi- In some instances, traffickers may acquire case
ation cost of returning a laboratory site to its quantities of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine
former condition, that is, removing contaminants products from operators of convenience stores and
from the water supply, soil, or structures in which liquor stores. These store operators usually pur-
the laboratories were operated. A recent report chase the products from suppliers on the East
from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Coast. The DEA San Diego Field Division and
Superfund Program in San Francisco indicated CBAG report that Middle Eastern criminals are the
that neither the EPA nor the state of California is largest single ethnic group distributing pseudoephe-
funding the decontamination of structures used as drine tablets at both the wholesale and retail levels
methamphetamine laboratories. The cost of in the San Diego area. In January 2000, the Califor-
assessment and cleanup of structures can reach as nia Highway Patrol seized 380,000 dosage units of
high as $50,000 per unit. pseudoephedrine from a Jordanian who was travel-
U.S. Forest Service (USFS) sources report that ing from Vancouver to Los Angeles.
methamphetamine producers set up laboratories on The smuggling of precursors and essential
public land and dump the toxic by-products chemicals, both north and south, continues at the

12
 National Drug Intelligence Center

California–Mexico border. Ephedrine and pseu- within the United States increasingly difficult,
doephedrine seizures in Southern California in forcing Mexican DTOs to obtain precursors
1999 totaled 67 kilograms compared to 408 kilo- from other countries. The major source coun-
grams in 1998. In 1999, 675 pounds of iodine tries for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are
were seized. In December 1999, USCS at the Cal- China, India, Poland, and Germany. In addition
exico POE seized 5 gallons of hydriodic acid that to tightening the supply, stringent regulation has
was concealed inside oil containers in the trunk of resulted in increased prices for these chemicals
a car. In February 2000, USCS inspectors seized on the black market. One example is the price of
217 pounds of crystalline iodine that was con- iodine, which costs about $1,995 per 50 kilo-
cealed in the seat of a pickup truck. The truck was gram compared to the black market price of
driven by an alleged member of a Los Angeles $9,000–$9,500. The most recent prices reported
street gang. by NIN are shown in Table 5.
Federal and state regulations have made the
purchase of precursor and essential chemicals
Table 5. Precursor and Essential Chemical Prices

Precursor and Essential Chemical Precursor Prices Reported by DEA

Prices Reported by NIN San Diego Field Division
Ephedrine lb $2,000–$3,000 Red phosphorus 50 lb $5,000

Ephedrine 55 lb $50,000–$80,000 L-ephedrine barrel U.S.C. $70,000–$120,000

5 gallons case $2,500 ($1,500

Freon R 11 $1,000–$2,500 Pseudoephedrine pills
(100 lb) (144 bottles) last quarter)

Hydriodic acid gallon $3,000–$3,200

Iodine lb $100–$200

Iodine 50 kg $9,000–$9,500

Transportation

The Southern California District continues to air bag compartment and a front seat cushion, 25
be a destination area for methamphetamine. How- pounds concealed behind the rear seat of a car, and
ever, it is principally a transshipment point; most 27 pounds from the gas tank of a pickup truck.
of the methamphetamine smuggled into the area Traffickers frequently use couriers; the drug
from Mexico is destined for other locations in may be hand-carried or concealed on the body
California and the United States. A variety of (body-packed). In two incidents at the San Ysidro
conveyances and concealment methods are used POE in December 1999, a resident flying from
in smuggling methamphetamine into the United San Diego to New Orleans attempted to smuggle
States. The most popular places of concealment in 2 kilograms taped to his body. In an incident at
commercial and personal vehicles include hidden the Tecate POE in April 2000, a pedestrian tried
compartments, air bag compartments, quarter to enter with 8 pounds strapped around his waist.
panels, and gas tanks. USCS recently seized 21
pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside an

13
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Distribution

Mexican polydrug organizations, usually

working in conjunction with middlemen, are the In February 2000, narcotics agents in
major suppliers of methamphetamine at the whole- Mexicali, Mexico, seized 85 pounds of
sale level in San Diego and Imperial Counties. methamphetamine. The street value of the
Hispanic street gangs and independent dealers and seizure could range from $250,000 to over
groups (Caucasian and Hispanic) are the main dis- $1.5 million, depending on whether it was
tributors at the street level. The two-county area is destined for sale in Mexico or the United
States. The 85 pounds seized probably
also home to independent laboratory operators
represents only a small amount of the
who produce small amounts of methamphetamine
methamphetamine being produced in Baja
for their own consumption and for sale. California Norte.

Wholesale

Most of the methamphetamine found in the dis- At the wholesale level, Mexican DTOs nor-
trict is produced in Mexico. The border cities in San mally work through middlemen who use known
Diego and Imperial Counties continue to be used as dealers to distribute the methamphetamine at
methamphetamine transshipment points to U.S. the street level. Most of the drug distribution
locales and the smuggling of methamphetamine groups at the wholesale and retail levels are
continues to increase. The primary sources of sup- polydrug in nature.
ply are Mexican DTOs such as the Arellano-Felix Responses to a survey conducted by NIN
Organization, the Amezcua-Contreras Organization, indicated that approximately 54 criminal organiza-
and the Miguel Angel Caro-Quintero Organization. tions transport and distribute methamphetamine
According to a 1998 U.S. Attorney report, Mexican and 14 traffic precursor chemicals in the
organizations have come to dominate wholesale Southern California and Mexico Border Regions.
methamphetamine trafficking in the United States They also identified 76 polydrug organizations
because they have ready access to precursor chemi- or groups, some of which most likely are
cals in Mexico, they control well-established drug involved in methamphetamine trafficking.
distribution networks, and they produce large quan-
tities of methamphetamine on a regular basis.
Retail

The primary retail distributors of methamphet- According to the San Diego Sheriff’s Depart-
amine in the district are Mexican criminals and ment, the dominant distributors of methamphet-
Mexican-American criminal groups. Local inde- amine in San Diego County are Caucasians with
pendent dealers, street gangs, Caucasians, and connections to the Arellano-Felix Organization.
biker gangs also distribute the drug. The Chula The San Diego Police Department describes a
Vista Police Department states that Mexicans, as layered drug distribution network whereby
well as Caucasians and biker gangs, distribute Mexican DTOs deal with middlemen who then
methamphetamine in its area. DEA reports that the work with known dealers—from gangs to indi-
Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is establishing a viduals—who handle street sales. Most of the
chapter in Tijuana; however, a working relation- drug dealing at the street level is polydrug.
ship between the Hells Angels and Mexican DTOs Another criminal influence that impacts
has not been confirmed. methamphetamine distribution in Southern
14
 National Drug Intelligence Center

HISPANIC STREET GANGS

Hispanic street gangs dominate the gang population in California. Law enforcement in California
identified 1,818 active Hispanic street gangs. Incarcerated members of Southern California Hispanic
gangs tend to align themselves with the prison-based gang, La Eme, which exerts substantial
influence over the activities of many Hispanic street gangs. These alignments often result in acts of
violence. From 1992 to 1998, the California Department of Justice recorded 2,993 Hispanic gang-
related homicides—61 percent of all gang-related homicides in California. Historically, Hispanic gangs
were exclusively male but female Hispanic gangs are increasing. In addition to drug distribution,
criminal activities committed by Hispanic gangs (male or female) include robbery, burglary, grand
theft, auto theft, assault, drive-by shooting, murder, home invasion robbery, weapons trafficking, and
witness tampering.

CRIPS AND BLOODS

There are approximately 65,000 African-American gang members in California. The majority of
them are Crips and Bloods. The gang members are violent and use high-powered automatic
weapons. Criminal activities include narcotics trafficking, robbery, burglary, grand theft, assault,
drive-by shooting, murder, and witness tampering.

California is the Mexican Mafia, a prison-based Vista. In Carlsbad, the major gangs are the
gang also known as “La Eme.” La Eme controls a Carlsbad Logos, South Los, and Barrio San Mar-
portion of the drug distribution in Southern cos. Also mentioned were the Diablos and West-
California through control of street gangs like the side Gang in Escondido and the Fallbrook Logos
Logan Heights gang. La Eme also has ties to the in Fallbrook. Drug distribution is the gangs’ pri-
prison-based gang Aryan Brotherhood that, in mary business, and although they distribute all
turn, has ties to outlaw motorcycle gangs. It is drugs, methamphetamine is predominant. The
believed that Aryan Brotherhood is linked to the Task Force further reports that all Hispanic gangs
methamphetamine trade through its association owe their allegiance to the Mexican Mafia (La
with these groups. Other street gangs distributing Eme). Graffiti displaying various Spanish gang
methamphetamine in the San Diego area are the logos is usually followed by Sur 13: the thirteenth
Vista Home Boys, Barrio Fallbrook Locos, Impe- letter of the alphabet is M, “eme” in Spanish. The
rials, Lakeside Gangsters, Colonia Eden Gardens, Crips, an African-American street gang, also dis-
Barrio Encitas, Legend Kings, Casa De Oro tributes methamphetamine in addition to the usual
Bloods (African-American and Hispanic), Spring crack cocaine, according to Task Force reporting.
Valley Locos, and Barrio San Marcos. These The Imperial County Task Force identified 34
gangs are also involved in the distribution of street gangs with more than 850 members. Most
other drugs, including marijuana and heroin. of the Hispanic street gangs are involved in
The North County Regional Task Force in San polydrug distribution that includes methamphet-
Diego reports that street gangs account for about amine, heroin, and marijuana. One gang, Chicali,
50 percent of the drug distribution in the county. is a prison-based gang. Chicali is linked to and
The major Hispanic gangs were identified as controls some of the Hispanic street gangs that
Pasole, Center Street Logos, Mesa Logos operat- distribute drugs.
ing in Oceanside, and the Vista Home Boys in

15
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Heroin
Heroin continues to be smuggled into the To varying degrees, local law enforcement
district, mostly through Southern California identifies heroin as an ongoing threat. The San
POEs. Virtually all the heroin that is available is Diego Sheriff’s Department and the Chula Vista
of Mexican origin, predominantly black tar, but Police Department classify the heroin threat as
also brown powder. However, South American moderate and stable. The San Diego Police
heroin has also been seized in the district. Department classifies the heroin threat as moder-
Mexican DTOs are the major sources of the ate but increasing and reports a growing number
heroin smuggled across the California–Mexico of younger users. These sources also classify
border. Heroin is also transshipped through the abuse as moderate; however, according to the
region to other destinations. California Department of Drug and Alcohol Pro-
Once heroin is smuggled into the region, grams, drug use indicators for FY1998–FY2000
wholesale and retail distribution is handled by a show an increase in treatment admissions for
variety of groups, including street gangs and heroin abuse over the 3-year period. However,
independent dealers, some Caucasian but pre- information from the DEA San Diego Field Divi-
dominantly Hispanic. In 1999, various law sion indicates that availability may be high—
enforcement agencies in San Diego and Imperial black tar is available in multikilogram quantities.
Counties conducted 595 narcotic enforcement The DEA Imperial County Resident Office
actions involving heroin. This represented 8 reports that it is encountering heroin in “tradition-
percent of the total; however, this figure may be ally methamphetamine/cocaine-related local
understated as there were 503 polydrug actions in impact investigations.” It further reports that “sig-
which heroin most likely was involved. nificant amounts”—1/2- to 1-pound quantities—
are now common in the county.

Abuse

According to a May 2000 open source report,

the trend in San Diego and Imperial Counties According to recent data prepared by the Cali-
toward younger heroin users is reflected at the fornia Department of Alcohol and Drug Pro-
grams, the trend toward increased heroin use
national level. The average age for heroin users in
in Imperial County continued in FY2000. How-
the United States declined from 27.4 years in 1988 ever, these same figures reflect a downward
to 17.6 in 1997 and use among females increased trend for heroin use in San Diego County.
dramatically. It is further reported that heroin use A recent DEA San Diego report indicates that
has moved to middle-class suburbs. The user pop- Imperial County may be experiencing the
ulation covers a broad spectrum from white-collar beginning of a heroin epidemic in the small cit-
professionals in affluent suburbs to kids in small ies of Winterhaven and Bard. Both cities are
farm communities. The Imperial County Narcotics located in the southeast area of the county,
Task Force reports that heroin is the drug of choice near the California–Arizona border and Yuma,
among Mexican migrant workers. Arizona.
California drug abuse indicators for the most
recent reporting period show heroin use increasing, admissions rose 7.9 percent from 4,663 to 5,035,
particularly in northern San Diego County. and in Imperial County, admissions increased 11.2
Between FY1998 and FY1999, drug treatment percent from 232 to 258. Individuals from 18 to 55
admissions for heroin increased in both San Diego years of age sought treatment for heroin abuse but
and Imperial Counties. In San Diego County, most were in the 26- to 50-year-old group; they

16
 National Drug Intelligence Center

According to a June 2000 news report, heroin-related deaths have occurred in Ireland and
Scotland. In Ireland, officials reported that eight users died and seven have been hospitalized.
Glasgow, Scotland, officials reported 16 deaths and 12 additional cases of a “mystery illness”
linked to heroin use by injection. Black tar heroin is reportedly not available in Ireland or Scot-
land. However, authorities in Glasgow believe that users were taking a crudely produced form of
heroin that was difficult to dissolve and using excessive levels of citric acid to break it down.
Doctors believe that injecting such large amounts of citric acid into the tissue causes localized
damage, which allows the bacteria to spread. All victims in Glasgow injected heroin directly into
tissue and all had used citric acid to dissolve the drug. Pathology reports on the Glasgow victims
indicated citric acid present at six times the normal level. Authorities in Ireland have not yet iden-
tified a link between the cases in the United States or Scotland. There also were 14 cases of the
illness reported in London, England; seven of the victims died.

were predominantly male (over 65 percent) and The most recent available DAWN Medical
white. Examiner Data for the San Diego area show that
According to the Community Epidemiology heroin/morphine-related deaths increased from
Work Group (CEWG), the number of users 137 in 1995 to 165 in 1996 but remained level at
injecting the drug is increasing. There is growing 165 through 1998. (See Chart 2.)
concern that the injection of heroin may be
increasing among young users. Deadly results
have occurred in California from the intravenous
use of black tar heroin. In 1999, five addicts in
San Francisco died from bacterial infections con-
tracted after injecting the drug. The bacteria
blamed for the death, Clostridium perfringens,
thrives in black tar heroin and causes a flesh-
eating infection called necrotising fasciitis.
Health officials report that at least four people
were treated in Northern California for “wound Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Sub-
botulism,” an infection which attacks the blood stance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Drug
and central nervous system, causing paralysis and Abuse Warning Network, Annual Medical Examiner Data 1998.
death. The deaths were traced to a contaminated
batch of Mexican black tar heroin.

Availability

Black tar and, to a lesser extent, brown pow- reports that Mexican heroin is readily available in
dered heroin from Mexico predominate in the the area and sells for about $1,000 per ounce.
western half of the United States. The DEA San In 1999, a kilogram of 79 percent pure black
Diego Field Division reports that black tar heroin tar heroin sold for $40,000 to $75,000 in Imperial
currently is available in multikilogram quantities County. A kilogram of 50 to 65 percent pure
and that the purity level has remained relatively black tar heroin sold for $80,000 to $90,000 in
high. In September 2000, DEA reported purity San Diego County. NIN quotes the price of black
levels of up to 70 percent and the price from $800 tar heroin in Imperial County, as of March 2000,
to $1,450 per ounce, down from the $1,000 to at $14,000 per pound; this equates to $30,800 per
$3,000 reported for 1999. The DEA in Carlsbad kilogram. The DEA in Imperial County reports

17
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

that heroin is available in significant amounts—

1/2- to 1-pound quantities. They further report
that the drug sells for about $800 per ounce,
slightly less than the reported average street price.
As reported by the El Paso Intelligence Cen-
ter (EPIC), seizures of heroin in San Diego and
Imperial Counties increased 36 percent from
1996 to 1999 (73.5 kg to 99.7 kg). The 1999
figures represent 41 percent of the total seized on
the Southwest Border compared to 46 percent of
the total seized in 1996. The amount of heroin Source: California Border Alliance Group, Narcotic Threat
seized continued to increase during the first six Assessment FY2001, 1 April 2000.
months of 2000. Heroin seizures reported for 1998
American heroin are being smuggled into the Cali-
indicate that Mexican and, to a lesser extent, South
fornia border region. (See Chart 3.)

Violence

Heroin use is not normally associated with vio- carjacking, and home invasion crimes, most of
lence; however, heroin abusers may commit crimes which are not classified as drug-related.
such as robbery and burglary to support their drug Another measure of the relationship between
habits. Heroin trafficking, like the trafficking of criminal behavior and drug use is the percentage
other drugs, is accompanied by criminal activity. of arrestees testing positive for drugs, in this case
Criminal groups and individuals involved in the opiates. According to ADAM, opiate use among
trafficking and distribution of heroin may use adult male arrestees increased slightly between
violence to protect drug shipments or to maintain 1995 and 1998. In 1995, 8 percent of male arrest-
control over distribution in a given area. ees tested positive for opiate use while 9 percent
Street gangs, many of which are known to tested positive in 1999, a one percent increase.
commit violent acts, are involved in the distribu- Comparatively, the percentage of female arrestees
tion of drugs in both San Diego and Imperial testing positive for opiate use decreased from 12
Counties. Local law enforcement estimates that percent in 1995 to 10.9 percent in 1999, a one
street gangs distribute 20 to 50 percent of the percent decrease. Opiate use among male juvenile
drugs in their areas. Respondents to the NDIC offenders (ages 9 through 18), decreased slightly
Gang Survey 2000 identify a number of street during the same time frame, from 1 percent in
gangs involved in the distribution of multiple 1995 to .4 percent in 1999. ADAM did not report
drugs including heroin. These gangs are also any data for female juvenile offenders in 1995,
involved in drive-by shooting, homicide, however, for 1999 ADAM reports that 2.3 percent
of female juveniles tested positive for opiates.

Production

Mexico is the dominant source of heroin world's opium poppy crop and produced an esti-
available in the western United States. In 1999, mated 4.3 metric tons of heroin. Opium
the U.S. Government estimated that drug traf- continues to be produced in western Mexico
fickers in Mexico cultivated 2 percent of the along the spine of the Sierra Madre, an area

18
 National Drug Intelligence Center

extending from the states of Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Durango can each produce 20 to 30 bulbs mea-
and Durango south to the states of Oaxaca and suring 1¾ to 2 inches in diameter.
Guerrero. Seizure reporting indicates that signif- Historically, Mexican heroin traffickers have
icant quantities of heroin and opium gum produced and marketed only black tar and brown
originate in the state of Michoacan. In an impor- powdered heroin, but the seizure of two heroin
tant development, the government of Mexico production laboratories in the last 2 years indi-
reports that Mexican heroin traffickers are cates that Mexican organizations may be work-
implementing new cultivation strategies to ing with Colombian chemists to produce white
increase opium poppy yields. Poppy plants that heroin. However, no recent information confirms
used to produce 1 to 2 bulbs now produce 9 to 10 the current production of Mexican white heroin.
bulbs. Plants grown in Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and

Transportation

Mexican DTOs control the transportation and services, and couriers. Illegal immigrants and
smuggling of heroin into and through Southern migrant workers often serve as couriers, smug-
California. The biggest percentage is smuggled gling small amounts of heroin across the border.
through the POEs: from Tijuana via San Ysidro, Females are used more often than males to move
from Mexicali via Calexico, and through Otay large quantities of heroin. In May 2000, USCS
Mesa and Tecate. As with other drugs smuggled inspectors at San Ysidro arrested two women
into the United States from Mexico, heroin is after 28 pounds of heroin and 64 pounds of
moved through Mexico to the California–Mexico cocaine were found in a hidden compartment of a
border, mostly overland. Mexico has several personal vehicle. The street value of the drugs
major highways (Highways 1, 2, and 5) that termi- was estimated at $1.3 million. The authorities
nate at the border. On the California side, there are stated that it was unusual to find both heroin and
major routes (Interstates 5, 15, 215, and Highway cocaine in one shipment.
111) and secondary routes that radiate north from Other recent seizures at California POEs
the border and interconnect with west-east routes include 7.6 pounds of heroin seized from a pedes-
(Interstates 8, 10, 40). Transporters use these high- trian and two seizures, 22 pounds and 6 pounds,
ways to move heroin overland to stash houses and from personal vehicles. In the case of the pedes-
major population centers in California and other trian, the heroin was hidden inside the false wall
states. (See Maps, pages vi and 3.) of a hard-shell suitcase; in the vehicles, one ship-
Smugglers use various means to transport ment of heroin was hidden in a quarter panel and
heroin: vehicles, commercial airlines, mailing the other was hidden in a battery.

Distribution

The wholesale distribution of heroin in Los Angeles, and to areas across the United
Southern California is controlled by Mexico- States. At the local level, heroin is distributed
based DTOs. These organizations smuggle her- through middlemen to dealers such as gangs,
oin into the area, where the drug is distributed loosely formed groups, and independents.
locally and transshipped to cities, particularly

19
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Wholesale

Mexican criminals, most of whom maintain a In June 2000, DEA agents moved against a
Mexicali or Tijuana base, are the principal whole- major heroin distribution group that extended
sale distributors for heroin in Southern California. from Nayarit, Mexico, to San Diego and cities
They rely on established smuggling and distribu- across the United States including Albuquerque,
tion networks to move heroin to market. Mexican Anchorage, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit,
or Mexican-American criminals with ties to the Honolulu, and Los Angeles. Operating out of
Mexican states of Durango, Michoacan, Nuevo Los Angeles, the group dispatched young girls
Leon, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas usually distribute and elderly men, traveling alone, carrying 1- to 2-
black tar heroin. Two major Mexican DTOs domi- pound packages of heroin to various destinations.
nate heroin smuggling across the U.S.–Mexico The distribution group was successful at estab-
border, the Arellano-Felix Organization and the lishing customer bases in new cities. One of the
Miguel Angel Caro-Quintero Organization. The methods used to market its heroin was to set up
San Diego Sheriff’s Department reported that “shooting galleries” near methadone clinics to
Tijuana and Nayarit are the main source areas for lure customers who were in methadone treatment
heroin in San Diego County. It also reports that programs. The group dealt in pound- to street-
heroin is transshipped through San Diego County level quantities of 60 to 85 percent pure heroin,
to Los Angeles and other cities. selling hundreds of thousands of doses per month.
Retail

As with the distribution of other drugs, major police arrested two men in Barrio Logan who
trafficking organizations usually supply heroin to were selling heroin and cocaine from their car. In
middlemen. These middlemen normally work with April 2000, DEA agents in Imperial County
known dealers who distribute the heroin at the seized 190 grams of black tar heroin in the busi-
street level. The street dealers include various drug ness district of El Centro. The heroin was
distribution groups, Hispanic and Caucasian street wrapped in clear plastic and black electrical tape.
gangs, and independents. Some of the San Diego Heroin is frequently packaged in clear plastic,
gangs involved in the distribution of heroin include but the San Diego Police Department reports that
the Vistas Home Boys, Barrio Fallbrook Locos, and street-level doses of heroin may be packaged in
Barrio Encinitas, all Hispanic. In San Marcos, the plastic that has been cut from grocery bags and
Barrio San Marcos and South Los gangs distribute then heat-sealed. Aluminum foil is another form
heroin and other drugs. On January 19, 2000, of packaging used.

20
 National Drug Intelligence Center

Cocaine
Cocaine continues to flow into the San other areas, cocaine continues to be classified as a
Diego–Imperial County area from Mexico. Law threat in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Dur-
enforcement reports that Mexican DTOs are the ing the last quarter of 1999, federal, state, and
major sources of cocaine. While the bulk of it is local authorities in the two-county area conducted
smuggled overland through and between the 185 law enforcement actions directly related to
POEs, the San Diego Maritime Task Force and powdered and crack cocaine (also known as rock
USCS Air and Marine Interdiction Coordination cocaine in Southern California). Local law
Center (AMICC) both reported an increase in enforcement reports that both powdered and
cocaine-related activity in 1999. crack cocaine are available in the area but that
Although most of the cocaine smuggled into crack is more prevalent at the street level than
the district is transshipped to Los Angeles and powdered cocaine.

Abuse

According to the California Department of predominant abusers were African Americans

Drug and Alcohol Programs, in FY1999, cocaine and Caucasians. The largest user group accord-
use indicators for San Diego increased. In San ing to age was 26 to 36, although users in the 21
Diego County, most of those seeking treatment to 25 age group increased from FY1998 to
for cocaine/crack were between 26 and 45 years FY1999. Although cocaine use indicators were
old but there was a notable increase in the 21- to up over the 2-year period, local law enforcement
25-year-old group between FY1998 and FY1999. classifies cocaine/ crack abuse as moderate.
The number of males seeking treatment for The April 2000 DAWN Medical Examiner
cocaine exceeded the number of females in both Data reported for San Diego shows cocaine-related
years. Treatment admissions for cocaine/crack deaths declined between 1995 and 1998. In 1995
rose 12 percent over FY1998 in San Diego there were 91 deaths; that figure dropped to 83 in
County but declined over the same period in 1998, a 9 percent decrease. (See Chart 4.)
Imperial County.

The most recent data from the California

Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
indicate that overall cocaine use in San Diego
and Imperial Counties may be stabilizing. In
FY2000, treatment admissions totaled 1,310
compared to 1,331 for FY1999, a decrease of
2 percent.

Based on treatment data, fewer individuals

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Sub-
sought treatment for cocaine abuse in Imperial stance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Drug
County than in San Diego County, but the demo- Abuse Warning Network, Annual Medical Examiner Data 1998.
graphics of the users are similar. Both counties
reported use among African Americans, Cauca-
sians, and Hispanics. In Imperial County the
predominant cocaine abusers were African Amer-
icans and Hispanics, but in San Diego County the

21
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Availability

The supply of powdered and crack cocaine in percent. DEA at the San Ysidro Resident Office
San Diego and Imperial Counties has remained reports that multiple kilogram quantities of
steady. While quantities of powdered cocaine are cocaine are available at $14,500 per kilogram.
available, the more significant problem is the use Cocaine seizures are also increasing. CBAG
of crack among the African-American population reports that cocaine seizures increased in 1999 and
in the inner-city neighborhoods of San Diego. continued to increase in the first six months of
Price, purity, and supply remained relatively 2000. Seizures during the first six months of 2000
stable over the past 3 years, but price data accounted for 24 percent of the amount seized on
revealed a marginal increase for the last quarter the SWB during that time period. They further
of 1999 and the first quarter of 2000. Cocaine report that there has been very little change in price
seizures also increased during the same period. and purity since 1995. The DEA San Diego Field
The March 2000 figures quoted by NIN for San Division reported that the number of cocaine sei-
Diego County show cocaine currently selling for zures decreased in the July–September 1999 quar-
$15,000 to $19,000 per kilogram with purity ter, but increased in the first two quarters of
levels at 75 to 80 percent for ounce through FY2000. However, EPIC reports that amounts
pound quantities. This compares to $8,000 to seized in the California arrival zone decreased from
$16,000 per kilogram in 1999. The current price 8,250 kilograms in 1998 to 7,117 kilograms in 1999.
for cocaine in Imperial County is $13,000 per
kilogram and purity levels range from 40 to 55

Violence

Transporters and distributors of cocaine use killings from prison. In the process of executing a
criminal alliances and violence to further their drug search warrant at the subject’s home, authorities
trade. Mexican DTOs are known to hire street gang found 37 rocks of cocaine.
members as enforcers and contract hit men to pro- Another indication of the connection between
tect their market. Several years ago, the Arellano- crime, violence, and cocaine is the number of arrest-
Felix Organization contracted with members of the ees testing positive for cocaine use. According to
Logan Street Gang to assassinate a rival. In other ADAM, the percentage of male arrestees testing
instances gangs and drug dealers use violence and positive for cocaine in San Diego was 16.5 percent
intimidation to protect their “turf” or to extract in 1999, this compares to 28 percent in 1995, an
“taxes” from other distributors. Intimidation usually 11.5 percent decrease. Among female arrestees,
includes threats of violence against distributors’ 22.6 percent tested positive for cocaine in 1999, a 5
family members and, in some cases, law enforce- percent drop from 1995 figures. Among juvenile
ment and justice personnel. In June 2000, authorities arrestees (ages 9–18), the percentage testing positive
arrested a San Diego man who had been implicated for cocaine remained almost unchanged over the
in a plot to kill a judge, a prosecutor, and a sheriff’s 1995–1998 time period at about 4 percent, but
deputy. A Skyline Drive gang member, who is serv- dropped to 2.5 percent in 1999.
ing a life sentence for murder, allegedly ordered the

22
 National Drug Intelligence Center

Production

About 55 percent of the cocaine produced in shipment of cocaine base in Mexicali and in Decem-
South America is smuggled into the United States ber 1999, U.S. and Mexican authorities found a lab-
through Mexico. Colombians continue to control oratory with equipment and chemicals used in the
the worldwide supply of cocaine but there are indi- production of cocaine hydrochloride. Also, packag-
cations that Mexican DTOs may be attempting to ing and markings on bundles of cocaine seized
process cocaine base into cocaine hydrochloride. In along the Southwest Border indicate that the cocaine
May 1999, Mexican authorities intercepted a may have been packaged in Mexico.

Transportation

Most of the cocaine smuggled into the United of cocaine at a checkpoint on Interstate 5 north of
States at the Southwest Border is transported over- San Diego. The cocaine had been concealed
land through Central America and Mexico. Large behind a false dashboard. Two females, both Mex-
cocaine shipments are brought to staging areas ican nationals from Sinaloa, were arrested. The
along the California–Mexico border by various cocaine was most likely destined for Los Angeles.
modes of transportation, the most common being According to the DEA San Diego Field Division,
tractor-trailers, trucks, buses, and railcars. The most bulk cocaine seizures are effected by the Cali-
shipments are usually brought to consolidation fornia Highway Patrol during routine traffic stops.
points along the border where they are divided into Cocaine may also be smuggled in railcars com-
smaller quantities in preparation for transport into ing into the United States from Mexico. In 1997,
the United States. According to the Southwest law enforcement in New Jersey seized 2,175.8
Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area pounds of cocaine that had been hidden inside a
(HIDTA), the average shipment seized in the first transformer. The transformer had been shipped
quarter of FY1999 was 36.89 pounds but during from Mexico, via San Antonio, on a railroad flatcar.
the same period in FY2000, the weight of the aver-
age shipment rose to 44.9 pounds. However, DEA Smugglers are increasingly using private air-
reports that the average shipment seized at the North craft, according to the Customs Service AMICC.
San Diego checkpoint weighed 60 to 90 pounds. In 1999, the AMICC reported 9 suspect aircraft
near the border in the Tecate and Jacuma areas of
Cocaine is usually smuggled into the United San Diego and Imperial Counties, 2 flyers within
States through POEs, but seizures are also made 25 miles of the border, and 11 low flyers. AMICC
between the POEs. Traffickers use a variety of also reported 245 suspect aircraft targets in Baja
means including cars, trucks, recreational vehi- California Norte—double the number detected in
cles, tractor-trailers, and couriers to move their 1998. In 1999, total suspect air activity along the
product into Southern California. Once the drugs Southwest Border included 29 suspect border
have been smuggled across the border, they may crossers, 26 radar suspects, 74 low flyers, and
be left at predetermined locations to be picked up 1,138 suspect targets in Mexico. Electronic and
by different couriers or drivers and taken to their
final destinations or to consolidation points for
Although the AMICC does not mention cocaine
transshipment to other parts of the country. Intelli-
specifically, Amado Carrillo-Fuentes, once
gence indicates that most of the cocaine being
known as the “lord of the skies,” used air trans-
smuggled into Southern California is destined for port to move multiton quantities of cocaine to
the Los Angeles area. In March 2000, Border the U.S.–Mexico border.
Patrol agents intercepted a car carrying 44 pounds

23
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

human intelligence suggest that traffickers may be Another factor that impacts the San Diego
returning to airborne smuggling as a means of area is the increase in mothership operations off
expediting drug shipments and reducing costs. Air the Mexican coast. In August 1999, the Mexican
transport is also viewed as a more secure method Navy seized 8.6 tons of cocaine from a fishing
of smuggling. Cocaine smugglers also use mari- vessel off the coast of Michoacan; the crew was
time transportation to access the San Diego from Ensenada, Baja California Norte, the
County area. Various intelligence indicators show possible destination of the cocaine shipment.
that maritime smuggling in the eastern Pacific off Authorities seized more than 31 tons (63,000
the coasts of Mexico and San Diego is also pounds) of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific in
increasing. In 1999, the San Diego Maritime Task FY1999. In the first 6 months of FY2000, the
Force seized 2,976 pounds of cocaine; this com- Coast Guard seized 24 tons of cocaine.
pares to no cocaine seized in 1998.

Distribution

Most of the cocaine smuggled into the area is Law enforcement agencies, responding to a
transshipped to Los Angeles for transport to other February 2000 NIN survey, identified 139 drug
cities across the country. However, wholesale dis- trafficking organizations operating in the NIN
tribution of powdered cocaine in the San Diego– Southern California and Mexico Border Region.
Imperial County area is usually controlled by This compared to 106 in July 1999, 92 in January
Mexican DTOs. At the retail level, crack cocaine 1998, and 119 in July 1997. Of the 106 identified
is seen more often than powdered cocaine. Afri- in the 1999 survey, 52 were linked to cocaine; in
can-American street gangs usually control the the February 2000 survey, 78 were associated with
street-level distribution of crack cocaine. cocaine. NIN cautions that these figures may vary
with the number of agencies responding.
Wholesale

Tijuana and Mexicali are considered source In a recent law enforcement action, federal
cities for cocaine smuggled into the region. The agents arrested a San Diego resident who oper-
Arellano-Felix Organization, based in Baja ated a widespread cocaine and marijuana traffick-
California Norte, and the Miguel Angel Caro- ing network. The network extended from San
Quintero Organization based in Sonora, Chihua- Diego and El Paso to Chicago, Cleveland, New
hua, and Sinaloa, are major polydrug organiza- York, Boston, Nashville, and Atlanta. The organi-
tions responsible for smuggling ton quantities of zation was responsible for the transportation and
cocaine into Southern California. Cocaine, like distribution of multiton quantities of cocaine and
other drugs, is distributed through a layered net- marijuana. The drugs were brought into San
work. Mexican DTOs deal with middlemen who Diego and El Paso from Mexico and then sent to
work with known dealers—from gangs to loosely Chicago via cars, tractor-trailers, and piggyback
knit cells to individuals—who distribute cocaine trains.1 From Chicago the drugs were sent on to
at the street level. This system insulates major the other cities.
drug traffickers from law enforcement reaction to Another case involved the arrest of 42 mem-
street-level criminal activity. bers of the Mongols Motorcycle Club in Southern

1. Commercial cargo trailers are “piggybacked” or transported on train cars to a distribution point where they are offloaded. These
trailers will then be picked up by a commercial tractor and driven to the final destination.

24
 National Drug Intelligence Center

California who were involved in the distribution gun. The group was also involved in motorcycle
of multikilograms of cocaine. Authorities seized theft. The Mongols Motorcycle Club has chapters
the cocaine, $21,000 in cash, and more than 70 in San Diego, Tijuana, and 19 other locations.
firearms including two machine guns and one shot-
Retail

Independent dealers, criminal groups, and Crips, have an estimated membership of 300.
street gangs that include Colombians, Mexicans, According to law enforcement sources, the Gang-
Caucasians, and African Americans distribute ster Disciples gang has been in the area about 1¾
cocaine at the street level. African American, years. Law enforcement has identified approxi-
Jamaican, and Dominican criminal groups domi- mately 80 members of the gang and estimates its
nate retail sales of powdered and crack cocaine in numbers at 200 to 250. The Gangster Disciples
San Diego. In Imperial County, cocaine is distrib- gang deals almost exclusively in powdered and
uted by African-American gangs such as the crack cocaine, and it taxes other dealers who dis-
Harlem-30s Crips. According to the San Diego tribute drugs in areas under its control. The gang is
Sheriff’s Department, local street-level distributors also known to deal in weapons.
convert 80 percent of the cocaine available in the
area into crack. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Black Gangster Disciple Nation
Department also reports that some of the groups
involved in cocaine distribution are connected to A group of African-American gangs in the
Englewood area of Chicago formed the Black
the Arellano-Felix Organization.
Gangster Disciple Nation gang in the late
The Gangster Disciples gang is becoming 1960s. It is primarily engaged in street-level
more active in northern San Diego County. It is distribution of narcotics and is known to use
apparently trying to unite African-American gangs extortion against rival drug dealers. The Black
that operate in areas such as Oceanside and San Gangster Disciple Nation has since extended
Marcos under its control. These gangs, usually its membership and influence to a number of
other cities and states including California.

25
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Marijuana
Marijuana is the most prevalent drug in San
Diego and Imperial Counties and Mexican DTOs BC Bud is cultivated mainly in British Columbia
and is growing in popularity because of its
continue to be the principal suppliers. According
higher (about 25 percent) THC (tetrahydrocan-
to 1999 statistics, authorities seized more mari-
nabinol) content. This compares to THC levels
juana than any other drug at the Southwest Bor- of 4 to 6 percent in Mexican-produced mari-
der. A sampling of USCS figures for 2000 shows juana. BC Bud sells for $1,500–$2,000 per
that marijuana continues to be the most fre- pound in Vancouver, British Columbia, $4,000
quently smuggled drug at California POEs. The per pound in Portland, and $6,000 per pound
amount of marijuana seized at or within 150 in Los Angeles. Outlaw motorcycle gangs and
miles of the border rose 238 percent between Vietnamese criminal organizations control
1995 and 1999. (See Table 6 on page 27.) marijuana production in British Columbia. The
Royal Canadian Mounted Police estimates that
In August 1999, Mexican authorities seized
there are 8,000 indoor marijuana grows on the
10 tons of marijuana believed to be destined for lower mainland of British Columbia.
San Diego. San Diego and Imperial Counties are
principal transshipment points for Mexican- USCS seizures made in 2000 show that mari-
produced marijuana destined for areas throughout juana continues to be one of the most frequently
the country. smuggled drugs at California POEs. A number of
Most of the marijuana available in San Diego significant marijuana seizures were reported dur-
and Imperial Counties is produced in Mexico, ing June 2000 including two at Tecate (927 lb
but it is also cultivated locally. In 1999, authori- and 1,495 lb), two at San Ysidro (1,000 lb and
ties seized almost 240,000 pounds of marijuana 215 lb) and one each at Otay Mesa (822 lb) and
that had been cultivated on public lands in Cen- Calexico (452 lb).
tral and Southern California. High quality mari-
juana from Canada (BC Bud) is also available in
the district. In the San Diego–Imperial County
area, Mexican-produced marijuana sells for $310
to $600 per pound; BC Bud sells for $4,000.
Mexican marijuana distributors in Los Angeles
may be buying BC Bud, mixing it with Mexican-
produced marijuana, and marketing it as BC Bud.
According to a recent report from NIN, there
are approximately 91 drug organizations traffick-
ing marijuana in the Southern California and
NDIC

Mexico Border Region. In 1999, local, state, and

federal law enforcement agencies participated in U.S. Customs seized 192 pounds of marijuana packed
902 narcotic enforcement actions (search war- in the engine compartment of a pickup truck in April
rants, arrest warrants, and waiver searches) 2000 at the San Ysidro port of entry.
involving marijuana and 1,590 polydrug events,
some of which probably included marijuana.
A number of the polydrug distributors deal in
marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin, the
three major drugs trafficked by Mexican DTOs.

26
 National Drug Intelligence Center

Table 6. Arrival Zone Seizures California–Mexico Border

Change from
Drug 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1995 to 1999
(Percent)
Marijuana 56,737 169,287 138,662 186,941 191,514 238

Cocaine 16,041 12,028 5,577 7,430 7,117 -56

Heroin 81 106 87 127 119 47

Methamphetamine N/A N/A 382 421 696 82

Source: DEA, El Paso Intelligence Center, Arrival Zone Seizures, updated 23 February 2000.

Abuse

Treatment admissions for marijuana/hashish

The most recent data from the California
abuse in San Diego and Imperial Counties regis-
Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
tered the highest increase of any drug from
indicate that the number of treatment admis-
FY1998 to FY1999: San Diego County admis- sions for marijuana in San Diego and Impe-
sions rose 84 percent (from 1,035 to 1,906) and rial Counties increased again in FY2000. The
Imperial County admissions rose 18 percent (from number of those seeking treatment for mari-
150 to 178). The majority of those seeking treat- juana use rose from 2,084 in FY1999 to
ment were under 18 years of age, male, and Cau- 2,355 in FY2000, an increase of 13 percent.
casian. Hispanics made up the second largest Despite the sizable increase, marijuana
group, and African Americans the third. Many admissions still rank well below those for her-
experts consider marijuana to be a gateway drug oin (5,224) and methamphetamine (4,226).
and express concern that increased marijuana use
will lead to the abuse of more harmful illicit sub-
stances. cancer. Experiments demonstrate that THC
reduces the body’s ability to produce cytokines,
A recent medical study suggests that middle- immune suppressors that are known to limit
age and older marijuana smokers may be at tumor growth. The main cause for concern is
increased risk for a heart attack within the first that marijuana deposits a large amount of tar in
hour of use. Another study indicates that smok- the respiratory tract.
ing marijuana may increase the risk of lung

Availability

Marijuana is the most widely available illicit by far. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department and the
substance in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Chula Vista Police Department identify marijuana
Federal, state, and local law enforcement classify it availability as high and the threat as increasing.
as the most prevalent drug encountered in the area More marijuana is seized on California’s southern

27
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

border than any other drug. Between 1996 and Table 7. Marijuana Prices
1999, the amount of marijuana seized increased 17
percent. Seizures of marijuana along the entire DEA– NIN–
length of the Southwest Border have increased 9/30/99 2000
each year as well—from 423.4 metric tons in 1996
to 993.7 metric tons in 1999. However, recent data Ounce $100–$400 $50–$75
from CBAG indicates that seizures for the first six Kilogram $500–$1,000
months of 2000 have remained about the same as
Pound
the corresponding period in 1999. NIN reports that
(Mexican $300–$600 $300–$400
the price of marijuana has decreased from $400– under 10% THC)
$600 per pound in 1999 to about $310 per pound in
2000, an indication that supply may be outstrip- Pound
$4,000
(BC Bud 25% THC)
ping demand. The retail price of 1 gram or less is
$5, of 1 to 3 grams $10, and of 7 grams (1/4 ounce) Source: Narcotic Information Network, San Diego-Imperial
$50 to $55. County Street Drug Price List, March 2000.

Violence

While the abusers are generally characterized as the crime of smuggling, violence is often directed at
nonviolent, marijuana trafficking generates vio- law enforcement. For example, the driver of a vehi-
lence. Investigations of DTOs and other criminal cle containing 2,800 pounds of marijuana attempted
organizations identify their involvement in extor- to run down a U.S. Customs agent at the San Ysidro
tion, murder, contract killing, and intimidation as a POE in March 2000; the Customs agent was forced
part of doing business. During the commission of to shoot the driver, who died at the scene.

Production

Domestic production may account for upwards A technique called supercropping enables can-
of 50 percent of the marijuana consumed in the nabis growers to double or triple their yield. This
United States. Nationwide, the cannabis growing technique is cause for concern because current
states of California, Hawaii, Kentucky, and Ten- federal laws focus on the number of plants seized;
nessee produce so much marijuana that the United the mandatory minimum sentence threshold is 100
States now exports marijuana to Canada. plants. The supercropping method of cultivation
The DEA San Diego Field Division reports allows cannabis growers to achieve a higher yield
an increase in the number of smaller outdoor while staying under the 100-plant threshold.
grow sites in the mountainous areas of San Hydroponic and cloning techniques allow
Diego County as well as of indoor grows. Some marijuana growers to harvest crops with a higher
growers are cultivating cannabis on public lands. THC content three to four times a year. Approxi-
The U. S. Forest Service reports that seizures in mately 6,600 plants were seized in the San Diego
the Cleveland, San Bernardino, and Angeles area in the last quarter of FY1999. Aeroponics is
National Forests increased over 300 percent in another relatively new method used in the cultiva-
the last 3-year period. The Forest Service seized tion of cannabis. Cannabis plants are suspended in
49,126 pounds of cannabis in 1997 and 237,329 the air by attaching the stems to a structure. Spray-
pounds in 1999 in the three areas. ers, similar to those found in the produce depart-
ments of supermarkets, are used to spray nutrients

28
 National Drug Intelligence Center

on the roots. Timers are used to turn the sprayers virtually all of the outdoor cannabis grows but
on and off at set intervals. that only Caucasians are responsible for the
Growers may automate indoor cannabis culti- indoor grows encountered. The same source
vation using computers and multitask controllers. further reports that supercropping techniques are
The operation of computers and controllers from being used in indoor cannabis cultivation.
a remote location enables cannabis growers to Subsequent to an investigation in Los
distance themselves from the growing operation. Angeles, authorities in San Ysidro, California,
Electronically controlled cannabis operations also discovered an indoor cannabis operation in an
require less manpower during the growing phase. underground room. The room was located
Computers can be used to monitor development beneath a residence; it was accessed by a trapdoor
of the plants and environmental factors such as located in a bedroom closet.
light, water, and temperature. Computers can also In April 2000, federal agents arrested two
be used to maintain cultivation records and store men who were operating a large, sophisticated
customer information. Multitask automatic con- indoor cannabis growing operation in Alpine,
trollers are powered by electricity and are usually located on I–8 east of San Diego near the Cleve-
fully programmable, using timers and sensors to land National Forest. Agents seized 750 mari-
monitor and control the grow environment. juana plants and thousands of dollars’ worth of
Controllers have the advantage of being more growing equipment. According to the report, one
economical and easier to use than computers. of the subjects was alleged to have been involved
Controllers that can be programmed require mini- in major cannabis growing operations in Florida
mum oversight and computers can be accessed in the 1990s, and federal agents traced him to the
from a separate site. San Diego area.
County law enforcement reports that Cauca-
sians and illegal aliens are responsible for

Transportation

The flow of marijuana over the California– backpackers. According to USCS, most marijuana
Mexico border continues at a vigorous pace and smugglers use the San Ysidro POE, followed by
Mexican traffickers are the principal sources of Calexico and Otay Mesa. In May 2000, USCS
supply for marijuana. Large quantities of mari- reported several large seizures of marijuana at
juana are transported overland through Mexico POEs. At Otay Mesa, Customs seized 6,855
to the California–Mexico border. The transport- pounds of marijuana that had been hidden inside
ers use tractor-trailers and various other vehicles detergent boxes. At the Tecate POE, Customs
to move the marijuana over Mexico’s highways seized two large shipments, of 6,939 pounds and
and secondary roads to the Southwest Border. In 4,454 pounds, which had been hidden inside the
April 2000, Mexican Federal Judicial Police front walls of commercial tractor-trailers. Other
seized 7.5 metric tons of marijuana in a truck large shipments have been commingled with legiti-
near Ensenada. The truck was traveling from La mate cargo such as wood chips and produce. Multi-
Paz to the border city of Tijuana. hundred-pound shipments of marijuana have been
Most marijuana is smuggled overland. The seized from personal vehicles where they were
principal land corridors from Baja California into hidden in various compartments and places such as
Southern California continue to be through and quarter panels and spare tires. They may also be
between California POEs. Marijuana is smuggled hidden in boxes of clothing. During the first quarter
in commercial and private vehicles and by of 2000, USCS seized over 92,000 pounds of
marijuana at California POEs.

29
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

CBAG reports that marijuana smuggling tons of marijuana into the region quarterly, and
organizations are moving their operations east backpacking activity accounts for 30 to 40 percent
of Otay Mountain and the majority of seizures of all the marijuana seizures made by DEA Impe-
are being made west of the Tecate POE. The rial County Resident Office. These seizures are
Tierra Del Sol in East San Diego is considered usually due to referrals from the USBP. According
a preferred smuggling area. Backpackers from to a recent news report, the amount of marijuana
Mexico can walk across the border, leave the backpackers carry varies with the distance trav-
marijuana at a predetermined drop site, and eled: 50 to 60 pounds for a few miles but 30 to 40
return to Mexico. Pickup vehicles have quick pounds for longer distances. DEA in Imperial
access to Highway 94, which connects to Inter- County reports that recently a preferred method for
state 8. Border Patrol agents conducted the moving marijuana has been to transport bulk ship-
largest seizure reported for the San Diego area ments unconcealed in the rear of sport utility vehi-
in 1999 at Tierra Del Sol, where they confis- cles or concealed in tractor-trailers hauling hay.
cated 4,902 pounds of marijuana. Since there is Marijuana smugglers also have access to San
a border fence in the area, agents believe the Diego County through its coastal areas. Smug-
smugglers used a specially equipped vehicle to glers use a wide variety of private and commer-
place a ramp up and over the fence, allowing a cial vessels including inflatable speedboats and
vehicle to drive over the fence. fishing boats to transport marijuana. In 1999, the
According to the DEA San Diego Field Divi- Maritime Task Force seized over 7,600 pounds of
sion, most marijuana seizures are made in the DEA marijuana on or near the coast of San Diego.
Imperial County Resident Office area of responsi- Mexican DTOs are also known to use the rail
bility. DEA attributes this to long established system to transport large quantities of marijuana
smuggling activities along the Imperial County– through Mexico. Between 1995 and 1996,
Baja California Norte border. The Ocotillo area in Mexican authorities seized over 40 metric tons of
western Imperial County is also considered a pre- marijuana from railcars. In one instance, 4.7 metric
ferred area for marijuana smuggling. Backpacking tons were found in the cargo area of a passenger
is a commonly used method for smuggling train. In 1997, the U.S. Border Patrol seized over 2
marijuana into this area. The Imperial County Nar- metric tons of marijuana from a boxcar that had
cotics Task Force reports that backpackers may been transported to the United States from Mexico.
transit the desert in the eastern part of the county The marijuana was hidden in a false compartment.
and deposit the marijuana at predetermined drop
sites. Backpackers transport approximately 3 to 5

Distribution

Mexico-based DTOs are the primary sources as both a consolidation and a transshipment
of marijuana encountered in the San Diego– point for marijuana to be shipped to the East
Imperial County area. The region is both a desti- Coast. At the retail level, marijuana is distrib-
nation and a transshipment point for Mexican uted by various criminal groups, individuals,
marijuana. Mexican DTOs working through and street gangs. Law enforcement agencies
middlemen control the wholesale distribution of responding to a survey by NIN identified 91
marijuana in the two-county area. Jamaican drug organizations involved in the transportation or
trafficking groups also have a major role in distribution of marijuana in the area on both
marijuana trafficking at the wholesale level. sides of the California–Mexico border.
Intelligence reporting indicates that Jamaican
drug trafficking groups use the San Diego area

30
 National Drug Intelligence Center

Wholesale

While Mexican DTOs—especially the $300 per pound and sell it on the East Coast for
Arellano-Felix Organization—are the primary $1,000 to $1,350 per pound.
sources of supply, the San Diego Sheriff’s Depart- Drug traffickers appear to be managing their
ment reports that the most notable change in the risk by moving more, but smaller, shipments of
trafficking of marijuana is the increased involve- drugs and currency (shotgunning). For example,
ment of Jamaican groups in transportation and dis- in 1999, seizures of less than 100 pounds
tribution at the wholesale level. Jamaican DTOs accounted for 75 percent of the number and 50
control a large marijuana distribution network in percent of the weight of marijuana seizures at the
San Diego. Jamaican DTOs are using San Diego POEs. DEA reports that the size and amount of
as a transshipment point for marijuana destined for drug and currency shipments seized from couriers
eastern and midwestern U.S. cities. A recent on airline flights to and from San Diego
report suggests that Puerto Rican trafficking decreased. They further reported that the average
groups are also involved in the transshipment of amount of currency seized by their Commercial
marijuana from San Diego to other U.S. locations. Interdiction Team at various mail distribution
CBAG reports that marijuana is the most centers averaged between $10,000 and $20,000.
commonly encountered drug shipped by mail. Other marijuana wholesalers identified by
An estimated 80 percent of the packages seized DEA were Puerto Rican criminal groups. Their
have been linked directly to Jamaican crime modus operandi appeared to be a form of shot-
groups. Intelligence indicates that Jamaican gunning. In the first 6 months of 1999, male cou-
DTOs may be consolidating marijuana in the riers traveled from Puerto Rico to San Diego with
San Diego area in preparation for transporting a few thousand dollars to purchase 30- to 50-
large shipments east using tractor-trailers, motor pound lots of marijuana. They intended to trans-
homes, and buses. Law enforcement reporting port the marijuana back to Puerto Rico.
indicates that Jamaican DTOs purchase Mexican
marijuana in the San Diego area for as little as
Retail

Federal, state, and local law enforcement One example of polydrug distribution involv-
sources report that the local marijuana trade is ing marijuana occurred in March 2000. Escon-
heavily influenced by the Arellano-Felix Organi- dido police and the DEA Mobile Enforcement
zation. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department and Team arrested 40 suspects that included Westside
the Chula Vista Police Department report that the Gang members and other drug dealers. Law
individuals and groups distributing marijuana in enforcement investigations showed that the gangs
the area include independent dealers, street were becoming more organized in their drug deal-
gangs, and Caucasian, Jamaican, and Mexican ing and that more of the drugs were coming from
criminal groups. Of these, Mexican groups were Mexico. During the arrests, authorities seized
identified as dominant. The San Diego County marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin. Alleg-
Drug Task Force reports that distributors of edly the subjects purchased pound quantities of
marijuana consist of individuals, street gangs, and drugs and repackaged them into ounce quantities.
loosely knit, predominately Hispanic cells or As noted earlier in this report, La Eme
groups which, for the most part, are involved in controls a large portion of drug distribution in the
the sale of multiple drugs. area through the use of street gangs and the
imposition of taxes on other dealers. A case that

31
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

highlights this situation culminated in April 2000 Police seized about $1,000 worth of crack
when a member of La Eme was found guilty of cocaine and $40 worth of marijuana.
extortion for demanding payments from drug Authorities also report that, prior to being
suppliers. The subject not only demanded shipped to various destinations throughout the
thousands of dollars from a drug dealer, he also country, marijuana is placed in area stash houses.
assaulted him and took his vehicle as partial An example of this occurred in June 2000, when
payment for “taxes” owed. law enforcement in City Heights found 465
In some cases, drug dealers do not fit the pounds of marijuana inside a residence. Officers
stereotype. In Desert Hot Springs, located in report that marijuana was stored at the residence
northwestern Imperial County, police arrested a and then sent elsewhere for distribution.
70-year-old woman for distribution of marijuana
and crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school.

32
 National Drug Intelligence Center

Other Dangerous Drugs

The other dangerous drugs category comprises may experience “anterograde amnesia.” In other
many drugs including those classified as “club words, the victims of sexual assaults may not
drugs.” The data presented here focus on various remember what happened to them while they
drugs, in order of significance, that present the big- were under the influence of the drug. Both
gest threat to the District of Southern California. Rohypnol and GHB have been linked to sexual
Numerous police departments and individuals assaults across the country. Another drug that is
who monitor drug use reported alarming increases a growing concern is clonazepam. Clonazepam
in the popularity of club drugs. The term club drug is a Rohypnol-type drug that is being used in
describes various drugs used by young adults and sexual assaults.
teens at all night dance parties called raves or The San Diego Sheriff’s Department reports
trances. These drugs are also encountered at other that the threat from club drugs such as ketamine,
places of entertainment such as dance clubs and MDMA, GHB, and Rohypnol is moderate but
bars. Research sponsored by the National Institute increasing and that the use of these drugs among
on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has shown that club drugs young adults and teens is growing. Ketamine and
may cause serious health problems and, in combi- GHB are of particular concern. GHB is being pro-
nation with alcohol, can be even more dangerous. duced in the area, and ketamine and clonazepam
In some cases, abuse of club drugs may cause incidents have increased.
death. Some of the drugs referred to as club drugs Information from the Chula Vista Police
are ketamine, MDMA, GHB (gamma-hydroxybu- Department regarding club drugs concurs with
tyrate), Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), and LSD (lyser- San Diego Sheriff’s Department reports. There
gic acid diethylamide). These drugs run the gamut has been a heavy influx of these drugs into the
from stimulants to sedatives to hallucinogens. region. According to the Chula Vista Police
NIDA reports that some club drugs have Department, club drugs are more prevalent in the
been used to commit sexual assaults. Because county than within the city. They also report
they are colorless, tasteless, and odorless, some occurrences of Rohypnol use in schools. Most of
club drugs can be added to the beverages of the Rohypnol encountered in the region is smug-
unsuspecting potential victims. After ingesting, gled from Mexico.
victims are incapacitated and, in some cases,

Clonazepam

Clonazepam is similar in pharmacology to white with Roche engraved on one side with
benzodiazepine and diazepine. It is a prescrip- cross-scoring on the other side.
tion drug used as an anticonvulsant. Some Both the San Diego and the Chula Vista Police
adverse effects of clonazepam use include cen- Departments report an increase in the abuse of
tral nervous system depression, alterations in clonazepam. The San Diego Police Department
behavior such as aggressiveness, agitation, reports that the drug is being seized at junior and
euphoria, forgetfulness, confusion, and ataxia senior high schools. Users claim that it produces a
(inability to coordinate muscles). Clonazepam is high without the smoke and red eyes associated
marketed in the United States as Klonopin and in with marijuana and is easier to conceal. Heroin
Mexico as Rivotril. Clonazepam 0.5-milligram addicts choose Klonopin when they cannot afford
tablets are orange with Rivotril or Roche heroin. Clonazepam is used to enhance the effects
stamped on them. The 2-milligram tablets are of heroin and other opiates.

33
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Clonazepam is also being used to replicate the to a 1999 report from the Texas Commission of
effects of Rohypnol, a date rape drug. According Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Mexican criminal
to anecdotal information, adults and teens are buy- groups are pushing clonazepam as a replacement
ing clonazepam in Mexico and bringing it into the for Rohypnol.
United States. It may be sold for as little as a dollar .
a pill and is being called “the dollar date.” Texas
may be experiencing a similar problem. According

• The San Diego City Council took the unusual step of creating an emergency law that makes it
illegal to possess the drug clonazepam without a prescription. The countywide Narcotics Task
Force said that the use of the drug is becoming more prevalent among youths and is being used
for date rape. Clonazepam was used during the sexual assault of two women in two docu-
mented cases. Moreover, authorities suspect the drug is being used by sexual predators more
frequently. The pills cost about 25 cents each in Mexico and are resold for about $1 each.
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 April 2000.
• In 1999, 354 rapes were reported in San Diego, 70 percent involving victims under the influence
of alcohol or some other drug.
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 April 2000.

Ketamine

Ketamine, also called K, Special K, vitamin K,

and cat valiums, is commercially sold as Ketalar. It Ketamine use is also increasing among some
is an injectable anesthetic that has been approved for young people in Mexico. A recent report stated
that ketamine was the drug of choice among
both human and animal use. Ketamine is produced
high school students in Monterrey, Mexico.
in liquid, powder, or pill form. Ketamine in its liquid Monterrey is located in the Mexican state of
form can be injected either intramuscularly or intra- Nuevo Leon, which borders southeast Texas. A
venously but it can also be made into a tablet or bottle of ketamine sells for 155 pesos or US $16.
powder by evaporating the liquid. In powdered
form, ketamine can be mistaken for cocaine or bad LSD trips. While under the influence of the
methamphetamine and is often snorted or smoked drug, they may believe they can fly or may attempt
with marijuana or tobacco products. to get out of moving vehicles. The San Diego Sher-
At high doses, ketamine can cause delirium, iff’s Department reports an increase in the number
amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pres- of investigations involving ketamine.
sure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory Intelligence reporting indicates that most of the
problems. Low-dose intoxication from ketamine ketamine found in San Diego and Imperial Counties
results in impaired attention, learning ability, and is smuggled across the border from Mexico. The
memory. Short-term use of ketamine causes halluci- DEA Imperial County Resident Office has seen an
nations; its major effect is dissociation, which increase in ketamine, which has become common at
includes out-of-body and near-death experiences. rave parties. San Diego County law enforcement
Ketamine gained popularity among abusers in the recently raided a dance club and arrested 19 individ-
1980s when it was discovered that large doses uals, 4 of whom were dealing ketamine.
caused reactions similar to those experienced with
PCP. Ketamine abusers in the United States and the In March 2000, U.S. Customs seized 29 bottles
United Kingdom have reported incidents similar to of ketamine at the San Ysidro POE. The drug was

34
 National Drug Intelligence Center

wrapped in sandwich bags and duct tape and con- shipment, of 240 bottles packed in three children’s
cealed inside the quarter panels of an automobile. In puzzle boxes, was seized from two New Jersey
April 2000, Customs seized three shipments of ket- men. The men had prepared mailing labels so that
amine that would have provided 162,400 hits. The the ketamine could be shipped to New Jersey
shipments totaled 1,624 10-milliliter bottles, each through a parcel service. The current price of
bottle containing 10 hits (1 ml each). Two of the ketamine is listed as $30–$45 per dose (0.02 grams)
shipments had been hidden inside vehicle speaker compared to $20–$25 in 1999.
boxes and one shipment included steroids. Another

GHB

GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), also known The officers involved in a follow-up investigation

as liquid ecstasy, scoop, grievous bodily harm, focused on GHB and found chemicals they
and Georgia home boy, is abused for its euphoric, believe were used to produce the drug.
sedative, and anabolic effects; however, use can GBL, a List I chemical used in the production
induce coma and cause insomnia, anxiety, trem- of GHB, was not mentioned in reports but is a
ors, and sweating. When GHB is combined with potential problem. When taken orally, GBL is
methamphetamine, there is an increased risk of converted into GHB in the body. On January 21,
seizure. Overdoses can occur quickly; some of 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
the signs include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, issued a warning about food supplement products
loss of consciousness, and impaired breathing. containing GBL and requested that producers
GHB also clears from the body rather quickly recall all products containing the additive.
and may be difficult to detect in emergency According to a January 2000 report, GBL has
rooms and other treatment facilities. The drug is been implicated in at least six deaths nationwide.
increasingly encountered in poisonings, over- GBL is widely sold as both a powder and a liquid
doses, date rapes, and fatalities. GHB can be made at gyms, fitness centers, and some health food
from easily obtainable ingredients, one of which is stores. In February 2000, authorities in Phoenix,
GBL (gamma-butyrolactone), a solvent com- Arizona, arrested a man who was selling GBL
monly used as a paint stripper. through the Internet. The GBL was shipped to
The DEA San Diego Field Division reports an locations around the country including San
increase in GHB-related activity. The Field Divi- Diego.
sion seized three GHB laboratories in 1999 and Another chemical related to GHB is butane-
reports that the Parcel Interdiction Team at San diol (1,4-butanediol). It is a precursor to GHB
Diego International Airport seized numerous and is used in the production of plastics and
GHB parcels destined for other parts of the coun- adhesives. Butanediol is a central nervous system
try. The DEA San Diego Integrated Narcotics depressant, which is converted into GHB in the
Task Force reports that two GHB laboratories body. Teens often carry the butanediol in small
have been seized so far in 2000. The San Diego containers like mini-shampoo bottles. A bottle
Police Department reports that the GHB in pow- holds 4 doses of 1/2 teaspoon each and sells for
der form has been seen on the street. The most 75 cents to $5. One dose has the same effect as
recent price quoted for GHB is $10 for 6 ounces. alcohol at a blood level of 0.10 or 0.12.
An episode demonstrating the risk involving
GHB use occurred in March 2000 when a In June 2000, a 17-year-old high school stu-
22-year-old woman died from a drug overdose. dent in Bakersfield, California, overdosed on
She had attended a party in Oceanside, Califor- butanediol after he drank water into which he had
nia, where she ingested an unknown substance. mixed a dose of the drug. He blacked out and was

35
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

taken to a hospital. His heart rate dropped to 30 the effects of GHB or butanediol; paramedics can
beats per minute and his breathing to 6 to 8 times only provide an airway, do cardiopulmonary resus-
a minute. (A normal heart rate is 75 to 100 beats citation, and maintain basic life functions until the
per minute while normal respiration is 16 to 20 drug wears off. The paramedics also reported that
per minute.) According to paramedics, drugs nor- GHB, GBL, and butanediol are difficult to trace
mally used to jump-start the heart after an over- because they leave the body so quickly.
dose of narcotics such as heroin cannot counteract

MDMA

MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphet- price for MDMA is $20–$25 per dose and $10
amine), also called Adam, ecstasy, XTC, E, or X, per pill, according to NIN.
is a synthetic psychoactive drug with amphet- According to DEA estimates, about 80 percent
amine-like and hallucinogenic properties. of the MDMA consumed worldwide is produced
MDMA was patented in Germany in 1914 and in clandestine laboratories in the Netherlands and
was sometimes given to psychiatric patients to Belgium. The DEA further reports that 95 percent
assist in psychotherapy. This practice was never of the MDMA that is available in the Los Angeles
approved by the American Psychological Associ- area is supplied by sources in European countries.
ation or the FDA. Users say MDMA, sometimes Worldwide, Israeli criminals of Russian descent
called the “hug drug,” makes them feel good. dominate distribution of MDMA but current infor-
However, the drug may cause psychological diffi- mation indicates that the Russian Mafia is also
culties similar to those associated with metham- involved in the trafficking of the drug.
phetamine and cocaine abuse including
confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety,
and paranoia. The physical effects include muscle Approximately 23 kilograms of MDMA tablets
tension, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred were seized at the Mexico City International
vision, and increased heart rate and blood pres- Airport. Two persons were detained after the
sure. drug was found in their luggage, an 18-year-
old Dutch woman and a 24-year-old Mexican
MDMA taken in high doses can be extremely man. The estimated value of the drug was
dangerous. It can cause a marked increase in body reported at $746,800.
temperature leading to muscle breakdown and Source: www.el-universal.com.mx, 21 August 2000.
kidney and cardiovascular system failure.
MDMA use may lead to heart attacks, strokes,
and seizures as reported in some fatal cases at Some of the MDMA available in Southern
raves. Recent research links MDMA to long- California comes from European sources. In an
term, possibly permanent, damage to parts of the incident in June 1999, USCS agents in San Diego
brain that are critical to thought and memory. arrested a Mexican citizen who was residing in
There is also evidence that individuals who the United States on suspicion of attempting to
develop a rash after using MDMA may suffer buy 11,600 MDMA tablets. Authorities also
severe liver damage or other serious side effects. arrested two associates of the Mexican citizen, a
male and a female, who attempted to bring the
MDMA is available in both San Diego and tablets into the United States from the Nether-
Imperial Counties. Law enforcement in lands via the Minneapolis International Airport.
San Diego County raided a nightclub in May The drugs, valued at $500,000, were found
2000 and arrested 19 individuals. Before the raid, strapped to the ankles of the two subjects.
undercover officers had purchased large amounts
of MDMA inside the club. The current wholesale

36
 National Drug Intelligence Center

Law enforcement in San Diego and Imperial the trafficking of MDMA from Europe but the
Counties reports that some MDMA is also being extent of their involvement is unknown. However,
smuggled into the area from Mexico. Intelligence with the rising popularity of MDMA, Mexican
reporting indicates that there has been some criminal involvement may increase.
involvement by Mexican criminal organizations in

Rohypnol

Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) also called roofies, Until 1998, Rohypnol was colorless and
rophies, Roche, and the forget-me pill belongs to a dissolved quickly in liquid. In 1998, the manu-
class of drugs known as benzodiazapines (Valium, facturer changed the formula, adding blue dye
Halcion, Xanax, Versed). Rohyphol is not and making it more difficult to dissolve so that
approved for prescription use in the United States. intended victims of sexual assault could more
Rohypnol produces sedative–hypnotic effects easily detect the drug in a drink. However, it has
including muscle relaxation and amnesia and can been noted that while this blue dye would be
also cause physiological and psychological depen- discernible in transparent containers it may not
dence. Poison control centers in Miami report an be detectable in opaque or metal containers. It
increase in cases of withdrawal seizures among has been suggested that the drug should also be
people using Rohypnol. made bitter to the taste.

LSD

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), also known absorbed the drug. Historically, LSD has been
as acid, boomers, and yellow sunshines, is a hal- produced in Northern California.
lucinogen that induces abnormalities in sensory LSD is available in the area and law enforce-
perceptions. The effects of LSD are unpredictable ment in San Diego County reports an increase in
depending on the amount taken, the environment the number of investigations involving the drug.
in which it is used, and the user’s personality, In one recent case, 64.6 grams of LSD were seized
mood, and expectations. Users may feel the from two females traveling on one-way tickets
effects for 30 to 90 minutes. The physical effects from San Diego to Oakland, California; they were
include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, carrying the drug in their pants’ pockets.
increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating,
loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and The Chula Vista Police Department has had
tremors. LSD users report numbness, weakness, only minor contacts with LSD and has not
or trembling, and nausea is common. Two long- identified any mainstream LSD dealing.
term disorders associated with LSD are persis- Respondents to a February 2000 NIN survey
tent psychosis and hallucinogen persisting per- identified eight organizations that are involved
ception disorder (flashbacks). LSD is typically in the trafficking of drugs such as PCP and LSD
taken orally; it is sold in tablet, capsule, and liq- in the Southern California area.
uid form, and in pieces of paper that have

PCP

PCP (phencyclidine) was originally devel- humans was discontinued in 1965 because it was
oped as an intravenous anesthetic. Use of PCP in found that patients became agitated, delusional,

37
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

and irrational while recovering from its effects. occur. Psychological effects include distinct
PCP is now illegally produced in clandestine lab- changes in body awareness similar to the effects of
oratories and is sold on the street as angel dust, alcohol intoxication. PCP use by adolescents may
ozone, wack, and rocket fuel. interfere with the learning process and with hor-
PCP is a white crystalline powder that is solu- mones related to normal growth and development.
ble in liquids and has a bitter chemical taste. It At high doses, there is a drop in blood pressure,
can be mixed with dyes and may turn up in the pulse rate, and respiration. High doses can also
illicit drug market as tablets, capsules, or colored cause seizures, coma, and sometimes death. Long-
powders. PCP may be snorted, smoked, or eaten. term abusers may suffer memory loss, difficulties
For smoking purposes, PCP may be applied to with speech and thinking, depression, and weight
mint, parsley, oregano, or marijuana. When com- loss. PCP has sedative effects and when mixed
bined with marijuana, it is called a killer joint, or with alcohol or central nervous system depressants
crystal supergrass. may lead to coma.
PCP is addicting; its use often leads to psycho- Area law enforcement reports that PCP is
logical dependence and compulsive craving. Users available in the area. Law enforcement in San
cite feelings of strength, power, invulnerability, Diego reports recent activity involving the drug;
and a numbing effect on the mind. At low to mod- however, the Chula Vista Police Department has
erate doses, physiological effects include a slight had only minor contacts with PCP and has not
increase in respiration and a more pronounced rise identified any mainstream dealing of the drug.
in blood pressure and pulse rate. Respiration According to NIN, authorities have identified
becomes shallow, flushing and profuse sweating about eight organizations or groups involved in
occur, and generalized numbness of the extremi- the trafficking of dangerous drugs including PCP.
ties and lack of muscle coordination also may

Khat

Khat is a natural stimulant found in the leaves In August 1999, Border Patrol agents seized
of the Catha edulis plant, a flowering evergreen about one-third of a pound of khat at a checkpoint
native to East Africa. However, the North Cali- on northbound I–15. The khat was rolled up in
fornia HIDTA reported that several grow sites newspapers. There were two male occupants in
had been located in Alameda and Monterey the car, a Canadian citizen who resided in Toronto
Counties. Fresh khat leaves are crimson-brown and a legal resident alien from Los Angeles; both
and glossy but become yellow-green and leathery were of Somali origin. According to the report,
as they age. The fresh leaves contain cathinone Customs officials at Los Angeles International
and d-methamphetamine; left unrefrigerated for Airport often intercept khat smugglers with ship-
48 hours, the leaves would contain only cathine, a ments of up to 100 pounds. The San Diego Police
milder form of cathinone. The cathinone–cathine Department reports that they are seeing some khat
is ingested by chewing the leaves. Khat was use among the Ethiopian and Somali populations.
placed on the Schedule I Federal Controlled
Substance list in 1993.

Inhalants

The California Bureau of Narcotic Enforce- the sniffing of common household products such
ment issued a warning on “huffing.” Huffing is as paint, gasoline, and hair spray. Sniffing these

38
 National Drug Intelligence Center

inhalants can introduce toxins into the body caus- example, 19-year-old was found with a plastic
ing damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys, brain, and bag over his head and a can of shaving gel.
even death. According to a news report, there Nationwide, inhalant abusers increased from
were five deaths in San Diego in the last 5 years 300,000 in 1991 to over a million in 1999. The
that have been attributed to inhalant abuse; two average age of the inhalant abuser is between 12
teenagers died in San Diego County in 1999, one and 13, although there have been reported cases
by the method known as “bagging.” In another of 5 year olds “huffing.”

Pharmaceuticals

Diversion of prescription drugs is of such Mexican manufactured Valium is also being

concern in San Diego that the San Diego Police diverted for illegal use; it sells for $1 to $3 per pill.
Department assigned officers to deal specifically According to DEA, Valium manufactured in the
with the problem. There is no significant group or United States is almost nonexistent on the street.
organization involved in the diversion of
pharmaceuticals. The main source of diverted The Chronicle of Higher Education
pharmaceuticals continues to be unscrupulous reported that the latest trend is mixing
doctors and pharmacies. There is also an increase prescription drugs with other substances.
in the use of the Internet to order controlled sub- High school and college students are
stances from pharmacies in Mexico and other mixing such drugs as Ritalin (a stimulant)
foreign countries. Pharmaceuticals are also being or Valium with alcohol or other drugs. A
student at Rollins College in Florida died
smuggled across the border from Mexico by
after ingesting a mixture of Inderal (a heart
individuals and pedestrian couriers. medication) and two antidepressants.
The most commonly diverted pharmaceuticals Another concoction killed a student at
are hydrocodone products. Hydrocodone, a Trinity College in Connecticut. He died after
narcotic, is a semisynthetic pain reliever. The Com- sniffing a combination of Valium, Xanax
munity Epidemiology Work Group reports that (antianxiety medication), an antimigraine
mentions of narcotic drugs other than heroin have medication, and sleeping pills. He had also
been increasing in many areas. San Diego had one been drinking alcohol and using heroin.
of the highest rates of hydrocodone DAWN emer-
gency department mentions per 100,000 in 1998. In November 2000, authorities in Lemon
The August 2000 DAWN report indicates that, Grove, CA, reported that the body of a man
nationally, hydrocodone emergency department was found inside his pickup truck and his
wife’s body was found in their apartment,
mentions increased 63 percent within the last 5
both were apparent victims of drug
years—from 8,977 in 1995 to 14,639 in 1999. overdoses. An investigator from the
DAWN also reports that in 1998 there were 339 Medical Examiner’s office reported that
hydrocodone-related deaths nationwide. On the prescription drugs were found throughout
street Vicodin appears to be the preferred brand of the apartment.
hydrocodone; it sells for $3 per pill.

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Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

Outlook
Methamphetamine-related activity will con- will continue to be smuggled across the
tinue to be the biggest threat facing law enforce- California–Mexico border. It is unlikely that the
ment in Southern California. Proximity to marijuana situation will change in the near future.
methamphetamine sources of supply in Mexico, Rather, trafficking organizations operating out of
continued domination of the methamphetamine Mexico will continue to dominate the market and
trade by Mexican DTOs, the ease with which the will continue to exploit all means and methods to
drug can be produced domestically, and the vio- smuggle their product into Southern California.
lence associated with methamphetamine use and Club drug use among teens and young adults
trafficking continue to contribute to the metham- reflected an upward trend in 1999. Locally, author-
phetamine threat in Southern California. Barring ities report that activity involving these drugs—
any major changes, methamphetamine trafficking particularly ketamine, GHB, and MDMA—is con-
and abuse will probably continue at current levels tinuing. With the growing popularity of all-night
as will use of the area by traffickers as both a desti- dance parties and the erroneous perception by
nation and a transshipment point for the drug. young people that there is less risk involved with
Heroin trafficking and heroin use continue to the use of club drugs, this trend will most likely
be a significant threat in Southern California. continue. Southern California may also see an
While heroin use has not yet reached alarming increase in the amount of club drugs, particularly
proportions, the ready availability of high purity ketamine and MDMA, being smuggled into the
Mexican black tar heroin may make it more region from Mexico.
attractive to adolescents and young adults who The increase in law enforcement pressure
are open to drug experimentation. Use of the along the California–Mexico border and in San
region as both a destination and a transshipment Diego and Imperial Counties will continue to be
point by heroin trafficking groups most likely reflected in the upward trend of drug-related
will continue, as will domination of the heroin crime statistics.
market by traffickers operating out of Mexico.
Intelligence reporting and drug seizure infor-
Cocaine use and trafficking remain a signifi- mation support previously established drug flow
cant threat in the region. The California–Mexico patterns. All major drugs continue to be smuggled
border will continue to be a major land corridor from Mexico into Southern California for
for cocaine smuggled into the United States from distribution throughout the country. The Arellano-
Mexico. The area will continue to be used as a Felix Organization, operating out of Baja Califor-
stash and transshipment point. Recent seizure fig- nia Norte, is the primary source of drugs smuggled
ures indicate a trend toward an increase in mari- into Southern California. Several questions have
time smuggling of cocaine. Air activity reported arisen as to whether the organization has sold its
for 1999 indicates that the area may see an Tijuana monopoly or scaled back cocaine opera-
increase in the smuggling of cocaine by private tions to focus on other major drugs, particularly
aircraft for reasons of security and ease and effi- marijuana. Several top members of the Arellano-
ciency of transport. Barring any significant Felix Organization have recently been arrested,
changes in drug flow patterns or level of availabil- and reports out of Mexico indicate that the Zam-
ity, the supply and price of the drug will most bada group is challenging the Arellano-Felix
likely remain at or near current levels. Organization in an effort to gain some influence in
As reflected in drug use indicators, marijuana the Baja California Norte area. With the arrest of
use among younger users is up. Current seizure some of the most powerful men of the
figures indicate that large amounts of marijuana Arellano-Felix Organization, factions within

40
 National Drug Intelligence Center

and without the organization may vie for control of

the Baja area.
Barring any major changes in drug
traffickers’ methods of doing business or within
the Mexican drug trafficking power structures,
present drug flow patterns will probably
continue. Increasing commercial and private
traffic between the United States and Mexico
will provide even more opportunities for drug
traffickers to move their illicit products across
the California–Mexico border.

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Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

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42
 National Drug Intelligence Center

Appendix: Drug-Related Financial Crimes

DTOs continue to use the same money laundering methods as in the past.
Law enforcement reports indicate that drug proceeds are often smuggled in bulk
shipments to Mexico. Some of the means used to move the currency include
tractor-trailers, privately owned vehicles, private aircraft, watercraft, parcel
delivery services, and courier. Other methods preferred by money launderers in
Southern California include the use of seemingly legitimate businesses and wire
services. Intelligence reporting indicates that the San Diego area is both a desti-
nation and a transshipment point for bulk shipments of currency. EPIC reports
that bulk seizures of cash destined for California have decreased but that seizures
of cash from individuals at San Diego Airport continue to increase as do seizures
from mail service centers in the San Diego area.
Several incidents demonstrate the methods by which money may be moved
into the San Diego area. In December 1999, officers seized $78,475 from a male
resident of New Orleans. He was traveling by train from New Orleans to San
Diego. In March 2000, the DEA Field Division interdiction team seized three
boxes containing $699,930. The money was destined for Mexico. California High-
way Patrol officers seized $142,329 from a female Mexican national in April
2000. She was traveling southbound on I–5 in San Diego County en route from
Los Angeles to Mexicali. The currency was concealed inside the rear seat of the
vehicle. In 1999, seizures of currency exceeded $16 million as reported by the
California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, DEA, FBI, USBP, and USCS.
The volume of Reports of International Transportation of Currency or Mone-
tary Instruments (CMIRs) filed at California POEs is an indication that bulk cur-
rency smuggled into Mexico may have reentered the U.S. financial system legally.
A report from CBAG states that in 1998 CMIR declarations averaged $168,000
and that over $560 million legally entered the United States at the California–
Mexico border. Over a period of 11 months in 1999, over $590 million in currency
was declared at California POEs.

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Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

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44
 National Drug Intelligence Center

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Imperial County Narcotic Task Force

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“What About the Certifier,” 3 March 2000.

45
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

State of California

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46
 National Drug Intelligence Center

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47
Southern California Drug Threat Assessment

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48
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